Chatoyancy
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CHATOYANCY
A gemmological term to describe a specific optical phenomenon:
whenever the fibers or inclusions in a cabochon-cut stone are arranged in parallel lines, they reflect an undulating band of light that resembles a cat’s eye.
This phenomenon has inspired the name of a variety of chrysoberyl known as cat’s eye. Other chatoyant gems include tourmaline, beryls and quartz.
