The facts
What quartz Cat's Eye actually is
Mineralogically, quartz Cat's Eye is quartz — SiO₂ + amphibole fibre inclusions, crystallising in the trigonal system.
The colour is caused by body colour grey-green to yellow from included actinolite fibres, which also produce the eye. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer reads 1.544–1.553, and the specific gravity sits near 2.65; cleavage is none.
Where quartz Cat's Eye comes from
The recognised sources are Ratnapura, Sri Lanka, Minas Gerais, Brazil and Bahia, Brazil.
Origin affects price in this material, so we name the locality on every quote rather than the country. "African" or "Asian" tells a buyer nothing.
How quartz Cat's Eye is treated
Untreated. Frequently mis-sold as chrysoberyl cat's eye; RI and SG separate the two immediately.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What quartz Cat's Eye is confused with
The usual confusions are Chrysoberyl cat's eye, Cat's eye fibre-optic glass and Cat's eye tourmaline.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.544–1.553 and specific gravity 2.65 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What quartz Cat's Eye is used for
Quartz Cat's Eye is bought by jewellery and mineral collecting — and each of those trades wants a different form of the same material.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the carat or by the specimen.
Durability and care
Hardness 7; cleavage none. That combination decides what it can safely be set into.
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 quartz Cat's Eye costs
Indicative pricing for quartz Cat's Eye is $3–40/ct.
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 quartz Cat's Eye treated, and how?
Untreated. Frequently mis-sold as chrysoberyl cat's eye; RI and SG separate the two immediately.
Where does quartz Cat's Eye come from?
Ratnapura, Sri Lanka, Minas Gerais, Brazil and Bahia, Brazil. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is quartz Cat's Eye hard enough to wear every day?
Yes. At 7 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 quartz Cat's Eye cost?
Indicatively $3–40/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 quartz Cat's Eye confused with?
Most often Chrysoberyl cat's eye, Cat's eye fibre-optic glass and Cat's eye tourmaline. A refractive index of 1.544–1.553 and a specific gravity near 2.65 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for quartz cat's eye?
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 quartz cat's eye