Opals are one of the most varied of all gemstones. They are most famous for their dazzling play-of-color phenomenon where a rainbow of colors can jump and dance before your eyes but they can also be found in array of single colored stones such as bright orange fire opals or pastel pink Peru opals.
Very rarely, opals can be found showing the fascinating cat's eye effect where a combination of fibrous inclusions and skilled cutting produces a stone which resembles the slit pupil of a cat.
Cat's Eye Opal Colors
Cat's Eye Opals usually come in golden honey colors which really enhance the feline effect but can also be found in yellow, cream, and earthy brown tones.
The variety of colors found in all varieties of opal is too vast to go into much detail but please read our article on Opals here for more information
Cat's Eye Opal Species
All opals are considered amorphous silica mineraloids which means they lack the rigid crystal structure of most gemstones. They are made up of millions of tiny spheres which are of different sizes. In certain cases the light will enter the stone and bounce of these spheres in all sorts of angles creating the rainbow of colors.
Cat's Eye Opals are made of the same material but their optical phenomenon is due to parallel rutile fibers which line up within the stone and reflect light in a manner which looks like the pupil of a cat.
What are the spiritual benefits of Cat's Eye Opal?
Cat's Eye Opals will share all the usual spiritual strengths of opals plus, like all cat's eyes, they can be used to ward off the evil eye. Other virtues include:
- Love, Passion, Desire
- Freeing Inhibitions
- Self-confidence and Motivation
- Creativity and Spontaneity
See our detailed article on Opal meaning and uses
Cat's Eye Opal and the Chakras
Cat's Eye Opals are generally found in earthy golden brown or honey tones so they will be most useful in helping the Root or Base Chakra.
Find more details on Chakra gemstones here
Cat's Eye Opal Price
The price of a Cat's Eye Opal is primarily determined by the distinctiveness of the eye as well as it being well-centered and appearing to glide smoothly across the surface of the stone as it is moved in the light.
After this the color of the stone can also be a factor although the vast majority have a golden honey to rich brown coloring.
In general, most Cat's Eye Opals will range from $2 - $15 per carat no matter the size.
Cat's Eye Opal Treatments
Cat's Eye Opals are not artificially enhanced or treated in any way other than the cutting and polishing that creates stunning gemstones.
Cat's Eye Opal History
Opals of all kinds have been sought after and loved for their outrageous beauty and play of color for thousands of years while cat's eye gemstones have always been revered for their protective powers in just about all cultures throughout the world.
Where are Cat's Eye Opals found?
Cat's Eye Opals are even harder to find than other opal types with only Madagascar and Tanzania seen as steady sources. Brazil is also seen as a potential future supplier while the US and Western Australia have produced some unusually colorful examples.
What jewelry is Cat's Eye Opal suitable for?
Cat's Eye Opals have a rating of 5.5 to 6.5 on Mohs hardness scale which is quite a low rating for jewelry items however they are always cut into cabochons with round domed tops and flat bottoms so there are no easily chipped corners or edges to worry about.
Cat's Eye Opals are very unique gemstones so one-off pendants or rings with protective settings would be the ideal use in jewelry.
Birthstones and Anniversaries
Cat's Eye Opals are a birthstone of October and would make an ideal gift for anyone who has a birthday in that month.
A Cat's Eye Opal can be used as a traditional gemstone gift for the 14th wedding anniversary.
