Cat’s eyes
The value of cat’s-eyes lies in the strength and the position of the moving band, coupled with the body color and, of course, the size of the stone. In these respects, cat’s-eyes may be compared with star stones, and a good specimen can realize $140 (£50) a carat, reaching more if fine.
But to reach such a figure, the specimen must be five carats or more in weight. Oval or round stones are the best for shape, since they can be used in rings and brooches. The lapidary can improve the shape of a stone, and it can also be polished, but it is rarely possible to improve the chatoyant effect. The body color should be a honey yellow, the streak must be normally down the center of the cabochon, and it must be straight and preferably thin. That is, the band should pass through the highest point of the cabochon, and it should not be a band but a line. Included specks of foreign matter or small cracks are faults to be considered.
One must be wary of confusing cat’s-eyes with the quartz variety, which sometimes shows similar qualities. There is a considerable difference in market values between the chrysoberyl cat’s-eye and the quartz tiger-eye. The best markets for cat’s-eyes are in the U.S.A. and the Far East, and it is here where the best specimens are seen. There is little demand for the stone in England, except by the connoisseur, and perhaps by the stone dealer. The latter has foreign markets in view if he is interested, in which event only good quality stones would be considered.