Quartz Cat's Eye (Lahsuniya) 8.81 Carat (9.68 Ratti) Cabochon

This Natural Quartz Cat's Eye (Lahsuniya Ratna) weighs exactly 8.81 Carats (9.68 Ratti) and measures 15.1 x 10.2 x 7.9 mm. Cut as a Cabochon with a polished dome and a ground, unpolished back, this Earth-mined gemstone displays a silky chatoyant band that moves across the dome under directed light.

Mineralogical Identity & Physical Constants: Cat's Eye Quartz is the precious optical variety of Natural Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂) exhibiting the diagnostic phenomenon of chatoyancy (the "cat's eye" line or band of light). This effect is produced by light reflection across fine, dense, parallel microscopic fibrous inclusions (such as rutile or amphibole needles) aligned parallel to the cabochon base. Ranking at Mohs hardness 7.0, it exhibits a refractive index of 1.544 to 1.553 (birefringence 0.009, uniaxial positive) and a diagnostic trigonal crystal system.

Geographical Origin & Lapidary Profile: Mined from authentic crystalline pegmatite belts of India (notably Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Rajasthan), this gemstone is 100% natural, unheated, and untreated. It is free from thermal treatment, chemical dyes, and synthetic resin stabilization. It has been shaped en cabochon to show the chatoyant band across the dome.

Appearance: Its lab report records its colour as gray. The eye shows as a medium-width line of light. A short, wandering rust-brown fissure runs in from the rim on the outer band, stopping short of the eye. The dome also has a small dark dot with a short dark line beside it, and small nicks at the rim. The back has a thick rust-brown crust along its ridge, smaller brown marks, a straight dark band along the fibres, small chips and a shallow curved scar near its edge. The bright window shape on the dome is a studio reflection. So is any thin dark zig-zag line or small tan spot beside it that moves from one photo to the next; the marks named above stay in the same place on the stone. The photos and video show this stone as it is, so please look at them before you choose.

Cultural Legacy & Traditional Wearing: Known in Sanskrit as Vaidurya (वैडूर्य) and universally in Indian tradition as Lahsuniya (लहसुनिया) or Lehsunia, cat's eye is historically linked in Vedic astrology with the descending lunar node (Ketu / केतु). In classical traditions, it is customarily mounted in Panchdhatu or Sterling Silver (925 Silver) for rings or pendants worn on the middle finger (Madhyama) or little finger (Kanisthika) of the working hand.

Please Note: Ratna Gems shares these historical, cultural, and gemological details solely for educational awareness. We sell all gemstones strictly on the basis of verified physical authenticity, mineral quality, and accredited laboratory certification, and make no astrological, metaphysical, or curative claims.

Care Instructions

• Clean gently with lukewarm water, a mild dish soap solution, and a soft microfiber cloth, then pat completely dry.
• Quartz cat's eye has a Mohs hardness of 7.0, but this stone shows the marks described under Appearance, so a protective bezel setting or a pendant suits it better than a high-impact ring. Shield it from knocks and hard abrasive surfaces.
• Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaning: Internal parallel fibrous structures are best preserved through gentle manual cleaning.
• Store separately in a padded jewel pouch to prevent scratches from harder gemstones like corundum (sapphires/rubies) or diamonds.

Frequently Asked Questions