Scapolite: Cat's Eye Red
With limited availability, collectors compete for ownership of scapolite, including the sought after cat's eye version of the gem. It exhibits remarkably sharp eyes full of deep red radiance and shimmer.
The name scapolite comes from the Greek "skapos" meaning shaft. The popular long rod form of this brightly colored gemstone occurs in two-dimensional forms with four sides and angles. First detected in 1913 in the Mogok Stone Tract of upper Burma, scapolite offers an appealing array of colors like white, neutral, olive, gray, yellow, brown, crimson and pink. The technical term for the cat's eye effect is chatoyancy, from the French for "eye of the cat" (oeil de chat). The chatoyant effect comes from the reflection of light through fibrous materials or channels in the gemstone. The absence of this needle-like feature would mean that the scapolite came from a faceted cut stone.
- Cat's eye gemstones are said to enhance wisdom and intellect, as well as bring materialistic comfort and wealth. A protective gemstone that will ward off the "evil eye" or negative vibes, it promotes harmony and mental or emotional balance.
- In Asian cultures, cat's eye is revered as a preserver of good fortune, guarding the owner's wealth and protecting against poverty. Gamblers have been known to use it as a good luck amulet in games of chance.
- In Sri Lanka, cat's eye is considered to be a potent charm against evil spirits.
- Some cat's eye gemstones are said to make its wearer invisible, so don cat's eye if you prefer to be left alone.
- Cat's eye stones were made into thumb rings by medieval archers to give the bowman acute vision, especially at twilight.
- Scapolite is used by crystal healers to stabilize mental balance and develop self-discipline.
LOCATION: Madagascar
Currently, scapolite can be obtained from many parts of the world including Canada, the United States, Brazil, Madagascar, Tanzania, Kenya, Canada and Burma. Madagascar offers the best quality of cat's eye scapolite with fine brilliance and a vitreous luster. We acquire the red scapolite cat's eye from the Soamiakatra mines of Madagascar.
- Ranks 5.5 to 6 on the Mohs hardness scale.
- Colors display white, neutral, olive, gray, yellow, brown, violet, crimson and pink. This particular variety displays chatoyancy when paired with a cabochon cut.
- Sourced from Madagascar.
- A member of the scapolite group, this gem is a silicate of aluminum, containing calcium and sodium. In some cases, potassium or fluorine may also be found.
- 100 percent natural stone; no additional treatments.
