SIZE: 8mm
STONE: Catseye, White, A-Grade (Manmade)
SHAPE: Round, Smooth
PACKAGE: 26 Beads
These manmade "quartz" glass beads are not pressed or molded, rather they are carved using the same lapidary techniques as gemstone beads.
CATSEYE: Natural Catseye is a form of chrysoberyl Quartz, sometimes called "Cymophane". It is a rare and valuable gemstone, which is often underrated as being a "semi-precious" stone. "Chatoyancy" or "chatoyance", is literally taken from the French word meaning "cat's eye". The effect is a strong banded reflection caused by tube-like or needle-like crystals running along the length of the stone. The optical effect is seen best in chrysoberyl Quartz varieties, but is also found in a few other gemstones like Star Sapphires and Tigereyes. Genuine Catseye Quartz is very rare. Most of the inexpensive Catseye sold on the jewelry market today is a manmade version of quartz crystal glass.
