A sharp band of light sliding across honey-brown to greenish gold: chrysoberyl cat's eyes are the most prized of all. Judge the eye's sharpness and symmetry in dealer videos.
In the gem trade, “cat's eye” means one specific stone: chrysoberyl with a sharp band of light — chatoyancy — that slides across the dome of the stone as it turns. Ceylon cat's eyes are considered among the finest, with a honey-gold body colour and a defined, silvery “milk and honey” effect across the band.
The eye is everything: its sharpness, how cleanly it moves, and whether it stays defined in different lighting. Body colour matters next, with a lighter, warmer tone usually showing the band most clearly. Flat photography hides the effect entirely, so ask for video with a single light source. Chrysoberyl cat's eye is hard and durable and treatment is rare — but it still pays to confirm on expensive stones.
No cat's eyes listed right now — new stones arrive often.
View all stones for sale