Very rarely, Apatite gemstones can display what is usually referred to as the "Cat's Eye effect" where light is reflected in a parallel line from the gem's surface and creates a look that resembles the slitted pupil of a cat's eye.
The technical term is chatoyancy which is derived from the French expression, 'oeil de chat', meaning, 'the eye of a cat'.
Cat's Eye Apatite Colors
Cat's Eye Apatite gemstones range in color from golden or honey brown to earthy or sandy yellow with greens and blues also occasionally available.
Read more about gemstones colors here
Cat's Eye Apatite Species
The mineral Apatite is a usually drab material that is the same phosphate mineral that makes up agricultural fertilizer and nutrients as well as the major component of our bones and teeth.
On very rare occasions, this mineral can be made into either stunning bright faceted gemstones, with vivid colors, or opaque to translucent cat's eye cabochons.
Cat's Eye Apatite Price
The price of Cat's Eye Apatite gemstones depends upon a number of factors:
- The crispness or definition of the 'eye' or 'pupil'
- A fluent movement of the eye across the gemstone's surface as it is turned
- The brightness, uniformity and rarity of the color
Whether you prefer lemony yellow to golden brown is very much a matter of personal choice but most Cat's Eye Apatites will fall into the range of $6 to $20 per carat – no matter the size of stone.
Cat's Eye Apatite Treatments
As far as we are aware, Cat's Eye Apatite gemstones are not enhanced with any treatment other than the cutting and polishing into cabochons – flat bottoms and dome shaped tops.
Any particularly bright blue, vivid green or dazzling red gemstone should be approached with caution as the color could be the result of heat treatment.
Where is Cat's Eye Apatite found?
While Cat's Eye Apatite is quite rare, it can be found in a number of countries, including Burma (Myanmar), Brazil, Canada, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Mexico, Morocco, Russia, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Tunisia and the USA.
What jewelry is Cat's Eye Apatite suitable for?
Cat's Eye Apatites are rated at 5 on Mohs hardness scale which is quite low for jewelry however as they are always cut into cabochons with round domed tops and flat bottoms there are no easily chipped corners or edges to worry about.
Rings should have protective settings but pendants, brooches and earrings should be no problem.