Opalite Cats Eye Gemstone Information

 

Cats-Eye Opalite is a rare chatoyant form of Opal.  The attribute that gives this stone its popularity and name is the phenomena known as chatoyancy, also known in the gem trade as “the cat's eye effect”. The reason for this fascinating phenomenon is very fine inclusions within the stone. When a light source is directed on these inclusions it creates a bright strip that appears and runs perpendicular to the inclusions. This strip will then glide across the surface of the stone when turned over.  This natural gemstone is found only in Tanzania.  Opalite Cats Eye is best known for it's creamy honey color and strong cats-eye effect. Opalite Cats Eye can also occur in shades of yellow, red, white and black. 

 

                                                   

 

The prices, uses and value of Opalite Cats Eye vary tremendously, depending on the size and quality of the gemstone.  AJS Gems is your source for the highest quality colored stones from across the globe, available at Bangkok direct wholesale prices.  Your gorgeous gemstone from AJS Gems is sure to impress when set into jewelry, be it a bold mans ring or a dainty ladies ring and earrings sold as a matched set.  Our loose gemstones are used to create the finest gem stone jewelry - You will positively love setting your loose cut gems into yellow gold, white gold, silver or platinum jewelry.  Discover the thrill of creating that unique top quality Opalite Cats Eye ring, Opalite Cats Eye earrings set, Opalite Cats Eye pendant,  wedding set, or that special bracelet necklace set to be given as a loving gift to that special someone in your life.  Creating the finest jewelry starts with finding the best gemstones, and the best gemstones are found at AJS Gems.
 
Why Buy Loose Gemstones Instead of Pre-Set Jewelry?
 
There are many reasons, but basically it boils down to value and choice...

When buying your Cats Eye Opalite gemstone loose instead of a pre-set stone, you can be sure you are getting the best value for your money.  Loose gemstones are less expensive, a better value, and you can really see what you are paying for.  The most important part of getting the right price and finding the best value is to first see what you're getting.  A jewelry setting will hide the inclusions inside a gem, and can deepen or brighten its color.  With a loose stone you can much more easily inspect the gem and see it for what it really is.  In this way you can get a better idea of its true worth and be sure you are paying a fair price.

The second advantage of buying a loose gemstone is choice.  You are free to pick the exact color, cut, shape and variety of the stone for the setting of your dreams, be it yellow gold, white gold, platinum or silver; prong set or bezel set with diamond accents.  You can experience the joy of creating your very own, one-of-a-kind jewelry design. Choose from a variety of jewelry settings and styles to create a completely original presentation that will perfectly suit your individual gemstone and will be as unique as you are!                                                  

We have become one of the world's leading precious and semi-precious loose Cats Eye Opalite dealers with one of the most extensive selections of fine Opalite Cats Eye.  At AJS Gems, you will find a large collection of Fine Quality Wholesale cut loose Opalite Cats Eye gemstones to help add beauty, fun and maybe a little extra love to your life...

Attributes

Origin	Tanzania
Color	Most commonly honey colored, also various hues of yellow, red, white or black
Refractive Index	1.37 - 1.40
Chemical Composition	SiO2·nH2O
Hardness	5.5 - 6.5
Density	2.10
Crystal Structure	Amorphous
Month	October
Zodiac Signs	Libra, Scorpio and Aries

Cats Eye Opalite is considered a mineraloid and has no crystal structure.  The term used for no structure is amorphous.  Opal is scientifically written as SiO2 NH2O. It is called hydrated silicon dioxide.  Opal is normal a stone that is mixed with water.  Stones that can commonly form Opal are limestone, basalt, rhyolite and sandstone.  While Opal contains water, the water content does vary by stone.  For instance, Opal has been found with water content approaching 20%, however, most Opal stones used for ornamental jewelry usually have water content of 3% to 10%.  Fire opal, like all opal, has a high water content. As a result, it should be protected from heat and prolonged exposure to strong light, which could dry it out. Dealers cure fire opal by drying it before cutting to make sure that any instability can be eliminated.

Opalite Catseye is rated at 5.5 to 6.5 on Moh's Scale of hardness. The physical structure of Opalite Cats Eye is unique. Tiny spheres of silicon dioxide form a pyramid shaped grid interspersed with water. Tiny natural faults in this grid cause the characteristic "play of color". The effect is similar to the rainbow colors displayed on a soap bubble, only much more dramatic.  The incredible play of color is exhibited by the gemstone due to the presence of small spheres in the silica gel that causes interference and refraction appearance. Silicon and oxygen chains are packed in the spheres and these are uneven in size and incoherent in concentration. These are set in a compact structures thus, when ray of light falls it dissects the light on its way through the stone resulting in the awesome color play. As per the size of the spheres within the structure, changeable colors of the gamut are diffracted. With the increase in the consistency of the spheres position, more intense and brilliant would be the color play. 

Opalite Catseye has a refractive index of 1.37 - 1.40 and a vitreous to resinous surface luster.  The refractive index (RI), measured using a refractometer, is an indication of the amount light rays are bent by a mineral.  Birefringence is the difference between the minimum and maximum RI. When birefringence is high, light rays reflect off different parts of the back of a stone causing an apparent doubling of the back facets when viewed through the front facet. 

Most gems have a crystalline structure. Crystals have planes of symmetry and are divided into seven symmetry systems. The number of axes, their length, and their angle to each other determine the system to which a crystal belongs.  Cats Eye Opalite crystalizes in the amorphous crystal system (trigonal-trapezohedral), without a particular crystal habit.

 
Color

Opalite Cats Eye is best known for it's creamy honey color. Opalite Cats Eye can also occur in shades of yellow, red, white and black.  Its juicy color is just the right accent to earth tones or black and also looks great paired with other bright tones.

Cut

Opalite Cats Eye stones are cut and polished to round or oval cabochons or other softly domed shapes so as to display the best color. 

Cut is a very important characteristic of Opalite Catseye, as the cats eye effect (chatoyancy) of the stone is dependent on its cut. The cut of the stone is also the key to revealing the magnificence of its phenomenal color. First, the cutters remove the inclusions present in the stone with a diamond cutting wheel.  Next a soft dome shape is given in order to bring out the cats eye. After cutting, the finishing is done using sandpaper, and finally the polishing is done with the help of a wet leather wheel.

Jewelry designers can get many desirable cuts or the shapes from this striking stone. Oval, circular and round cabochons are preferred as in these shapes the color and chatoyant cats eye are displayed at their best. 

Opal is a soft stone and therefor is occasionally treated or impregnated with colorless oils, plastic, resin or wax which act as a bonding agent, reduce the visibility of the inclusions and improve the overall clarity of the stones. 

This rare form of Opal is found in one location only:  the East African nation of Tanzania.  This same country is also the source of the gem Tanzanite. 

Cats Eye Opal began its formation 15 to 30 million years ago, during the tertiary period. Starting out as a liquid, the slurry seeped through sedimentary layers of earth, settling within impervious clays at a depth of 20 to 30 metres. Over the coarse of millions of years, the liquid slurry crystalized, becoming catseye opal.

Opal is derived from the Latin word 'Upala' and the Greek word 'opallios', both meaning “precious stone”.

The Roman scholar and famous author Pliny once described Opal as a gemstone that combines the best possible characteristics of the most beautiful of gemstones: the fine sparkles of Almandine, the shining purple of Amethyst, the golden yellow of Topaz, and the deep blue of Sapphire, “so that all all colors shine and sparkle together in a beautiful combination.”

In Greek mythology, Opal was believed to be formed from the joyous tears wept by Zeus after he defeated the Titans. It was also believed by the Greeks that the owner of Opal would obtain the power of giving foresight and the light of prophecy.

In ancient Arabic times it was believed that opals fell from the heavens in lightning, the flashes giving the stone its fire and flare.

It is said that Opal was part of Cleopatra's famous jewelry collection, and that she used the stone to attract the attention of Mark Anthony.

Opal is said to be a symbol of faithfulness and is believed to assist the wearer with finding true love. Opal is also believed to cure depressions and bring confidence to the wearer. Opal helps to open unused parts of the mind in order to increase creativity and mental capacities.

In past, it was believed that wearing this fascinating gem helps in finding the true love. Also it was considered as an icon of faithfulness and confidence.

Women in ancient times used to wear opal to protect their hair from graying. It was largely used for ritual magic.

Astrologers recommend different opals for different zodiac signs. Black Opal favors those having the Scorpio zodiac signs while Boulder Opal suits for those having Aries as their sun sign.

Opal helps in overcoming depression in life and diverts the energy in improving the positive traits. It enables the wearer to use his/her brain fully.