The facts
What cat's Eye Tourmaline actually is
The species behind cat's Eye Tourmaline is elbaite (tourmaline supergroup), Na(Li,Al)₃Al₆(BO₃)₃Si₆O₁₈(OH)₄; it forms in the trigonal system.
Body colour from Fe or Mn; the eye comes from parallel growth tubes rather than needle inclusions is responsible for the colour — and the chromophore, not the name, is what decides whether a colour is stable.
On the instruments it reads a refractive index of 1.619–1.644 and a specific gravity of about 3.01–3.11, with indistinct cleavage.
Where cat's Eye Tourmaline comes from
Commercial material comes from Minas Gerais, Brazil, Ratnapura, Sri Lanka and Madagascar.
Different localities give different colour and different clarity, and the trade prices them differently. We state which one.
How cat's Eye Tourmaline is treated
Untreated. The eye is usually softer than in chrysoberyl because it arises from hollow tubes; a sharp, tight eye is correspondingly rare and valuable.
We state the treatment on every stone, including when the honest answer is that it cannot be determined. A treatment disclosed is a fact; a treatment discovered later is a refund.
What cat's Eye Tourmaline is confused with
Watch for Chrysoberyl cat's eye, Quartz cat's eye, Cat's eye apatite and Fibre-optic glass — these are what turn up sold under this name.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.619–1.644 and specific gravity 3.01–3.11 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What cat's Eye Tourmaline is used for
The trades that buy cat's Eye Tourmaline are jewellery and mineral collecting. They do not want the same thing, and they do not pay in the same unit.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the carat or by the specimen.
Durability and care
Cat's Eye Tourmaline is 7–7.5 on the Mohs scale, with indistinct cleavage.
With no cleavage plane to worry about, the practical limit is abrasion rather than breakage, and it takes daily wear well.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What cat's Eye Tourmaline costs
Expect roughly $50–600/ct, depending on quality.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is cat's Eye Tourmaline treated, and how?
Untreated. The eye is usually softer than in chrysoberyl because it arises from hollow tubes; a sharp, tight eye is correspondingly rare and valuable.
Where does cat's Eye Tourmaline come from?
Minas Gerais, Brazil, Ratnapura, Sri Lanka and Madagascar. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is cat's Eye Tourmaline hard enough to wear every day?
Yes. At 7–7.5 on the Mohs scale with no cleavage plane, it handles daily wear well. The practical limit is gradual abrasion rather than chipping.
How much does cat's Eye Tourmaline cost?
Indicatively $50–600/ct. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is cat's Eye Tourmaline confused with?
Most often Chrysoberyl cat's eye, Quartz cat's eye, Cat's eye apatite and Fibre-optic glass. A refractive index of 1.619–1.644 and a specific gravity near 3.01–3.11 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for cat's eye tourmaline?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about cat's eye tourmaline