Cat's Eye Apatite Apatite gets its name from the Greek word for "cheat". That unfair title the gemstone earned from its possibilities for confusion with amblygonite, andalusite, brazilianite, precious beryl, sphene, topaz or tourmaline. Apatite, a stone seldom found in jewelry stores and virtually unknown to the general public, is beloved by collectors for its many different colors and forms. The cat's eye effect adds to the glamour of the gemstone.
Cat's Eye Apatite colors
Buying Cat's Eye Apatite
Where is Cat's Eye Apatite found?
Common Cat's Eye Apatite Treatments
World-famous Cat's Eye Apatite
Cat's Eye Apatite gemology
Cat's Eye Apatite legends & lore
Cat's Eye Apatite Care
Cat's Eye Apatite colors
The range of colors includes colorless, pink, yellow, green, blue and violet.
Buying Cat's Eye Apatite
Color
A rare variety is a rich purple from Maine. Blue Brazilian stones are second in demand. A light green variety of apatite carries the trade name "asparagus stone". The recent availability of the neon blue-green variety from Madagascar has increased the use of apatite in jewelry. The color of the best specimens of this type rivals the famed Paraiba tourmalines, but unfortunately, this gem lacks their toughness and hardness. As for any other gem, color saturation defines the value.
Lighting
Chatoyancy, the cat's eye effect, is a reflection of light by parallel fibers, needles, or channels, which resembles the slit eye of a cat. When the stone is rotated, the cat's eye glides over the surface.
Clarity
Apatite is usually a transparent gemstone.
Cut
The cabochon cut is excellent for a unique brooch or pendant, if its base is parallel to the fibers.
Cat's Eye Apatite location and deposits
Cat's eye apatite is a rarity at apatite mines. Apatites are found in Brazil, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Mexico, Myanmar (Burma), Norway, Sri Lanka, South Africa and the United States.
Common Cat's Eye Apatite treatments
Cat's eye apatite is generally untreated.
World-famous Cat's Eye Apatite
None
Cat's Eye Apatite gemology
Species: Apatite group
Color: Colorless, pink, yellow, green, blue violet
Chemical composition: Ca5(PO4)3(F,OH,CI) basic fluoro- and chloro-calcium
Crystal system: (Hexagonal), columnar, thick tabula
Hardness: 5 (Mohs scale)
Specific gravity: 3.16 - 3.23
Refractive index: 1.628 - 1.649
Birefringence: -0.002 to - -0.006
Optical character:
Color of streak: White to yellow-gray
Absorption spectrum: Yellow and green a.: 597, 585, 577, 533, 529, 527, 525, 521, 514, 469; Blue a.: 512, 507, 491, 464
Fluorescence: Yellow a.: purple to pink
The Cat's Eye Apatite zodiac, myth & legend
Lesser or unknown gems share the same destiny: no access to fame, myth, legends or the zodiac scheme.
Cat's Eye Apatite Care
Care for apatite is similar to that given opals, it is heat and shock sensitive, so steamers and ultrasonic must be avoided. The stone is slightly too soft to recommend for rings. |
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