0.81 Ct. Yellow Cabochon Cat’s Eye Chrysoberyl from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This oval, translucent yellow chrysoberyl weighs 0.81 carat and measures 6.79 x 4.64 x 3.13 mm, presented in a classic cabochon profile. The stone displays a medium color intensity that reads as a soft, warm lemon to honey yellow depending on viewing angle, and it is graded as eye clean when examined at standard eye level. The dome has been shaped to maximize the chatoyant response, and the excellent polish produces a smooth reflective surface and a clean silhouette. There are no enhancements, and the material is natural, originating from Ceylon Sri Lanka, which is known for producing chrysoberyl with fine structural orientation and consistent body color. The combination of a well centered oval outline, balanced dome height, and an eye clean interior makes this piece well suited for traditional settings where the cabochon is the focal element.

The cat s eye effect is evident as a single, distinct band of light that travels across the dome, produced by aligned needle like inclusions that act as a finely spaced mirror. In this specimen the band is oriented along the long axis of the oval, appearing as a narrow bright slit when illuminated by a strong, directional source. The band retains good definition because of the cabochon cut and the excellent polish, and it remains visible even as the stone is rotated or the lighting changes. Under more diffuse illumination the cat s eye softens into a silky, luminous stripe that gives the surface a satiny sheen, while under direct beams it sharpens into a crisp, metallic line that bisects the stone. Because the interior is eye clean, the band contrasts clearly against the warm yellow body color, producing a pleasing and intelligible chatoyancy rather than a muddied or diffuse effect.

How this chrysoberyl presents in different lighting is instructive when considering wear and setting. In strong direct sunlight the band becomes a concentrated, bright line with high contrast against the yellow body, and the overall tone shifts toward a warmer honey yellow. In overcast daylight or indirect natural light the band appears softer and the stone exhibits an even, inner glow, with the medium color intensity showing as a gentle lemon cream. Under incandescent illumination the stone takes on warmer golden notes and the cat s eye retains clarity while the overall surface becomes more reflective. With modern cool white LEDs the body color reads slightly cooler and the band can appear a touch more silvery, maintaining its travel across the dome as the stone is tilted. For jewelry applications mounting that follows the long axis of the oval will emphasize the linear chatoyancy, and a simple bezel or closed back setting will enhance the depth of color and preserve the integrity of the band. The Natural Gemstone Company confirms that this chrysoberyl is unenhanced, and the combination of its origin, cabochon cut, eye clean clarity, and excellent polish make it a precise example of cat s eye chrysoberyl suitable for a refined collection or for a setting intended to showcase the optical phenomenon.