Where to Sell Cat’s Eye | High Price Purchase | JEWEL CAFE Singapore

The gemstone cat’s eye generally refers to one of the main varieties of chrysoberyl which is called cat’s eye or cymophane. Its name comes from the visible vertical line when it is when light shined on it which resembles the eye of a cat. It is already known by the roman at the end of 1st century, while in the eastern region, it is believed that if the cat’s eye is pressed against the forehead in between the eye, one will be able to obtain foresight. In Sri Lanka which is the country of origin of cat’s eye, it is also believed that it can protect the holder from demon. In term of color, the cat’s eye that shows honey color when the light source is close, and translucent milky color when the light source is further is the most precious one. Other than that, the cat’s eye is most preferred to have its luminous band on the center of the gemstone in cabochoncut. The band will move left and right when the position of light source changed, and the color hue on both sides will also change accordingly. The optical phenomenon of this luminous band is called chatoyancy, this term comes from the word “chat” which means cat in French. Chatoyancy is caused by the rutile precipitates that are parallel to each other included in the gemstone. The inclusion will reflect the light and form a luminous band on the surface of cabochon-cut cat’s eye. When the surface of cabochon is very high, although a distinct band can be formed, but the horizontal movement of the band will be limited. However, if the surface is too low, the band will disperse and form a wave-like shape. On the other hand, if the cabochon cut is poorly done, the band will divert from the center or become slanted. In some rare occasion, the cat’s eye can also possess the property of alexandrite where different color is observed under different light source such as incandescent light and fluorescent light as both of them are consist of mostly identical component. Those cat’s eye that possesses both properties of the 2 gemstones are called alexandrite cat’s eye. Occasionally, men’s ring set with cat’s eye of 5 carat or even above can be seen auctioned at Sotheby’s or Christie’s in New York. Due to its high durability, it is highly preferred by man in United State, but in Japan, it is often sold on women’s ring with relatively smaller size at around 2 to 3 carats. Currently, its main production countries are Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Brazil and India.