Cat's Eye · FAQ
Cat's Eye (Lehsunia): Every Question, Answered
The complete question set from cat's eye buyers — buying, pricing, certification, and origins in one place.
Is quartz cat's eye acceptable for astrological Ketu use, or does it have to be chrysoberyl?
Only chrysoberyl cat's eye is recognized as valid for astrological Ketu remedial use. Quartz cat's eye is a completely different, far more common and inexpensive mineral, and shouldn't be substituted despite the similar appearance and name.
What should I look for when judging a cat's eye in person?
Turn the stone under a single point-source light and check whether the band is sharp, straight, and centered rather than blurry or off to one side — the classic "milk and honey" split, where one side of the dome looks milky and the other honey-colored, is the most prized look.
Why does eye quality matter more than clarity for cat's eye pricing?
Because cat's eye is cut specifically to showcase chatoyance rather than transparency, a sharp, centered eye is the main thing distinguishing a fine stone from a mediocre one — clarity grading in the usual sense doesn't really apply to this cut.
Is a bigger cat's eye always worth more?
Not if the eye quality suffers — a smaller stone with a razor-sharp, well-centered band is generally worth more than a larger stone with a weak or off-center eye.
How can a lab confirm a cat's eye is chrysoberyl and not quartz?
Standard gemological testing (refractive index and specific gravity) reliably distinguishes chrysoberyl from quartz, tourmaline, and apatite cat's-eye material, which is why an independent certificate matters more here than a visual match alone.
Does chrysoberyl cat's eye typically carry any treatment disclosure?
Usually not — chrysoberyl cat's eye generally reaches the market untreated, so a certificate's main job is confirming species and describing the eye's quality rather than reporting an enhancement.
Is Ceylon cat's eye always better than Indian cat's eye?
On average Ceylon material tends to show sharper, more centered eyes, but individual Indian stones can still show fine chatoyance — it's worth judging the specific stone's eye quality rather than assuming origin alone determines grade.
Does EmeraldVault sell cat's eye directly?
Yes — browse certified cat's eye listings directly in our catalog, sourced through our verified dealer network. If you don't see the exact stone you need, contact us and we'll help.
Dig deeper
Each topic above has a full Cat's Eye guide: buying, pricing, and certification, plus origin pages for Sri Lanka (Ceylon) Cat's Eye and Indian Cat's Eye — or start from the Cat's Eye overview. Site-wide questions are covered on the main FAQ page.
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Ask us directly, or browse certified cat's eye already in our catalog.