Cat's Eye, often called catseye, is a type of chrysoberyl, related to alexandrite, that exhibits color change properties to varying degrees. It is found in gem quality in Brazil and the far East and is usually a mixture of the honey colors -- rich browns and yellows with hints of green. In Sri Lanka one tends to find the more apple green colors with a silver ray. The value of a catseye depends on the size, color, transparency, clarity and above all "chatoyancy." Chatoyancy is the alignment of the fine inclusions in the stone that allows the shimmer -- creating the look of a cat's eye (hence the name). As legend holds, the wearer would be cared for by this good luck charm. He or she would be protected from evil spirits, illness and poverty. In the Hindu religion, it is believed that if the stone is held against the forehead it will allow the individual to see the future. There are many other stones -- tourmaline, tiger-eye, quartz catseyes and sapphires -- that when properly cut that can produce the 'catseye' effect. However, they are not true chrysoberyl catseye. These stones are very rare in the United States because of the great demand from Japan and Hong Kong where market demands cannot keep up with production. You are welcome to stop in and see genuine chrysoberyl catseye at Ralph Miller Jewelers.
