Planet: Ketu

Indian Name: Sutra-mani

Other Names: Ketu-ratna, Ketu's gem, Vaidurya, Cats eye, Sutra-mani.
Cat's Eye's Sign: Pisces
Cat's Eye's Hardness: 8.5 on Mohs scale
Element: Water
Cosmic Color: Infra-red
Some Flaws of Cat's Eye:
Dullness - the cat's-eye that is not brilliant and is shining and flimsy is injurious for physical
health and personal wealth
Crack inside the gemstone - brings injuries from sharp-edged weapons
Cobweb inside the gemstone - brings imprisonment and is harmful for the wearer
Having five streaks or bands of light - brings misfortune
Holes or dents - bring diseases of the stomach
Flat - devoid of effect and therefore not suitable for wearing
Uneven in shape - unlucky
Some Qualities of a Good Cat's-Eye:
Smoothness
Brilliance of chatoyance
High specific gravity - heavier than average stone of the same size
Having three streaks of light, similar to the sacred thread worn by Brahmins in India
Straightness of the chatoyance
Tests for Identification of Real Cat's Eye or Lehsunia:
If a real cat's eye gemstone is put in a dark place, it shines like the eyes of a cat.
If a real cat's eye gemstone is rubbed against a cloth, its brilliance increases.

Physical Properties of Cats Eye Birthstone

1. Cats Eye Color - The quality of this gem is judged by the display of chatoyancy effect.
A cats-eye (Chatoyancy) is the band of light that runs length wise from one end of the stone to
the other. Chatoyancy is caused by a parallel needle or a hollow tube like inclusion inside the
gem. When the gem is rotated while light is flashed on the gem, it gives an image of the opening
and closing of an eye, thus its name. It is found in a range of colors from yellow to yellowish
green, greyish green to brown and brownish yellow.
2. Cats Eye Cut - The natural chrysoberyl rough must be cut in a manner that highlights the
cats eye effect. This means that the natural chrysoberyl gem should display the opening and
closing of the cats eye when light is thrown on it and the gem is rotated.
The needles in the stone must be perpendicular to the stone. Thus, a very skillful and
experienced lapidarist is required to cut this gem. The gem should be cut in a dome-like oval or
round shape, also known as cabochon cut (not faceted, just plain polished dome) and polished
to display its chatoyancy.
3. Cats Eye Carat - The commonly used size of the gem in the market is between 0.10ct and
3.00cts. However gems up to 150 carats in weight are also known to exist. Large gems are rare
and are of higher value.
4. Cats Eye Clarity - The gem by nature has a milky appearance and transparent gems are
almost never found.
It should not be less than 5 carats.
Some flaws of a Chrysoberyl Cats Eye if it is dull, has a web, is spotted, or has depressions.
Wearing a stone with webs can send a person to jail. It is especially important not to use a gem that
has dark or black imperfections, as these will bring misfortune. A cracked gem can cause injury. If it
is spotted, it can cause problems with enemies. A dull or opaque stone causes bad health. If it
has black spots, it can cause death. If it is lusterless, it can cause bad fortune to ones children. A
depression can cause digestion problems.