Chatoyancy

Chatoyancy: swinging luminosity provoked by reflection of light on numerous iso-oriented inclusions: the effect dives the gemstone an aspect similar to cats’ eyes from which the name derives; numerous minerals such as Apatite, Corundum, Chrysoberyl, Jadeite, Tourmaline, Zoisite occur in Chatoyant varieties too.

Chatoyancy in Cat’s Eye Quartz. Photo:: IGI International Gemological Institute Italy

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