Cat’s eye stone is one of the fantastic gemstones known for its optical phenomenon. The chatoyancy process featured on the surface of this gem looks like a slit eye of a cat and hence named so. This unusual property makes this stone a popular one in jewelry. Cats eye meaning is associate with spiritual growth, enlightenment, and self-realization. It is a semi-precious stone that has been known for its mystical properties for a long time. People use this gemstone as a talisman as they believe that it will bring happiness and protect the wearer from negativity and evil forces.
Origin and Formation
Cat eye stone comes from a chrysoberyl mineral family comprising alexandrite, a notable color-changing stone. The “cat eye effect” is a prominent feature of this chrysoebryl, distinguishing it from other gems. It is known as the chatoyancy phenomenon, which occurs when a band of light is reflected from thin inclusions within the stone. These inclusions must be parallel to each other. This gem’s formation occurs within the earth’s surface, especially in pegmatites and metamorphic rocks. Environmental factors play an essential role. Under high temperature and pressure, beryllium and aluminum combine with oxygen to form the chrysoberyl mineral, resulting in this fantastic gemstone. Significant sources include Sri Lanka, Brazil, Madagascar, and India.
Benefits
Cats eye stone benefits are enormous making it a wonderful gem to invest in. Let’s have a look at some of its significant benefits:
- Spiritual Enlightenment: Wearing this chrysoberyl stone relieves pain, misery, and stress. It allows the person to attain spiritual growth. If you are a religious seeker, wearing this gem can be helpful.
- Brings Luck and Harmony: It provides luck, wealth, and good fortune for those seeking financial stability.
- Health Benefits: This gemstone has benefits associate with eye-related issues and digestive and metabolic functions.
- Emotional Stability: The calming energy of the stone provides you with a sense of security and grounding. It relieves stress, depression, and anxiety.
- Chakra Activation: It unblocks the third eye and solar plexus chakras. This helps the person to evaluate self-worth, heightens awareness, and increases intuition.
- Professional Success: The Cat’s eye gem helps boost determination and confidence, allowing the person to attain success in their field.
Who Can Wear
Everyone can wear a chrysoberyl cat’s eye stone. If you want specific benefits, the properties of this gem are endless.
- Astrologically. Leo, Gemini, and Capricorn can wear cats eye stones. This chatoyant gem is an excellent ally in enhancing their leadership qualities, providing them with success and wealth.
- Individuals seeking improved vision, digestive functions, and overall wellness should wear this stone.
- For those struggling with everyday stress, wearing green cat eye stones can be helpful. It aids in growth and mental peace.
- For individuals looking for personal growth and enhancing decision-making skills, wearing this stone can be helpful.
- It is a perfect stone for everyday jewelry due to its high durability.
How to Wear
The best ways you can wear cat eye stone include:
- Jewelry Types: It can be worn as rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.
- Metal Choice: You can go with any metal from yellow gold to rich platinum. The hue of this stone matches the brilliance of any metal.
- Right Hand: Wear Cats Eye Stone on the right hand to protect and boost personal power.
- Left Hand: For financial benefits, consider wearing it on the left hand, which is associated with receiving energy.
- Consistency: To fully benefit from this stone, wear it regularly. It is believed that prolonged contact enhances its effectiveness.
- Cleaning: Clean the stone gently with a soft cloth to maintain its luster. Avoid harsh chemicals.
- Storage: Store separately from other jewelry to prevent scratches and damage.
Quality and Price
The cat’s eye stone price starts at US$150 and can extend even more depending on the 4 C’s.
Color
The most desirable color of this chrysoberyl is greenish-yellow. It also occurs in green, brown, and colorless. Types of cats’ eyes include quartz cat’s eye, moonstone cat’s eye, apatite catseye, and blue cat’s eye. In the gemstone marketplace, this chrysoberyl is also called cymophane. Besides the color, the optical phenomenon called the chatoyancy effect is the main feature of this stone. The most valuable ones are those which show this effect very clearly.
Clarity
These gems are not transparent; they are opaque. Since the phenomenon for which this stone is prized comes with rutile needles, the presence of the same increases its value and authenticity. High-quality Cats Eye Stone should have a well-defined, clear chatoyancy with minimal visible inclusions. Stones with fewer internal flaws and a robust and distinct eye are more valuable and desirable.
Carat Weight
The carat weight of this gem can vary significantly, from small-weight stones used in inexpensive jewelry to larger specimens suited for statement pieces. Generally, larger stones with a pronounced cat’s eye effect are rarer and more expensive. However, the stone’s beauty and quality are not solely determined by carat weight; the clarity and intensity of the cat’s eye effect also play crucial roles. The higher the intensity of this effect, the more is the price.
Cut
The cut is crucial for maximizing the chrysoberyl’s unique optical properties. A well-cut stone will display a sharp, centered band that moves as the stone is rotated. This band or the slit of the cat’s eye, when clearly seen, accounts for the high price of the stone.
Origin
Ceylonese Cat’s eye stone is considered a valuable gem. These gems from Sri Lanka show a vivid greenish-yellow color with strong chatoyancy.