{"product_id":"natural-alexandrite-cats-eye-2-72ct-cabochon","title":"2.72ct Natural Alexandrite Cat's Eye","description":"\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGem Type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNatural Alexandrite (Chrysoberyl)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCarat Weight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2.72 ct\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.09 x 7.75 x 4.45 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShape\/Cut\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCabochon\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColour\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eColour-Change (green\/blue in daylight, red\/purple in incandescent light)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMadagascar\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCertification\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCeylon Gem Lab (CGL)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis 2.72ct natural alexandrite cat's eye is one of the rarest gemstones in existence, a stone that exhibits not one but two optical phenomena simultaneously. Alexandrite's legendary colour-change shifts from green-blue in daylight to red-purple under incandescent light, while the cat's eye (chatoyancy) effect produces a sharp, luminous band of light that glides across the cabochon surface as the stone moves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAlexandrite displaying both colour-change and chatoyancy in a single specimen is exceptionally uncommon. Most alexandrite shows colour-change alone; most cat's eye chrysoberyl shows chatoyancy alone. When both phenomena appear together with this level of clarity at 2.72 carats, the result is a stone of genuine museum-grade rarity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; Certification\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis alexandrite originates from Madagascar, which has emerged as one of the most important modern sources of fine alexandrite since the depletion of the original Russian deposits in the Ural Mountains. Madagascar produces alexandrite with strong colour-change characteristics, and the island's chrysoberyl deposits have gained recognition among gemologists and collectors worldwide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ceylon Gem Lab (CGL) has certified this stone, confirming its identity as natural alexandrite (chrysoberyl variety), its colour-change properties, and its chatoyant (cat's eye) effect. CGL is an established gemological laboratory, and their certificate provides independent verification of this stone's extraordinary dual phenomena.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eUnderstanding Alexandrite Cat's Eye\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAlexandrite is the colour-change variety of chrysoberyl, one of the rarest mineral species used in jewellery. Its colour-change is caused by the way chromium ions in the crystal structure absorb light differently under varying illumination:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDaylight \/ fluorescent light:\u003c\/strong\u003e The stone appears green to blue-green\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIncandescent \/ candlelight:\u003c\/strong\u003e The stone shifts to red, purple, or raspberry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe cat's eye effect (chatoyancy) is caused by fine, parallel needle-like inclusions within the stone. When cut as a cabochon, these inclusions produce a concentrated band of light, the \"eye\", that moves across the surface as the stone is tilted. This phenomenon requires skilled cutting to centre the eye properly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor a single stone to display both phenomena with clarity, the crystal must contain both the chromium responsible for colour-change and the parallel inclusions responsible for chatoyancy, a geological coincidence that occurs extremely rarely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy This Alexandrite\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAt $3,500 AUD, this 2.72ct alexandrite cat's eye represents a rare opportunity to acquire a dual-phenomenon gemstone at an accessible price point. Fine alexandrite without cat's eye effect routinely sells for $5,000-$20,000+ per carat at auction, depending on origin and colour-change strength. Specimens that also display chatoyancy command further premiums among specialist collectors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis stone's cabochon cut is the only cut that can display the cat's eye effect. Faceted stones cannot produce chatoyancy. The 8.09 x 7.75 mm proportions are near-round, providing an elegant, symmetrical presentation whether set in a ring, pendant, or displayed as a collector specimen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAlexandrite has been called \"emerald by day, ruby by night\" since its discovery in Russia in the 1830s. Adding the cat's eye phenomenon creates a gemstone with no parallel in the mineral kingdom, a stone that shifts colour with the light and reveals a luminous eye when moved. For collectors seeking a genuinely unique acquisition, few stones can match this combination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRelated:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/all\"\u003eBrowse our full gemstone collection\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/natural-tsavorite-garnet-3-01ct-cushion\"\u003eCompare: 3.01ct Tsavorite Garnet Cushion\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eWhat causes alexandrite to change colour?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlexandrite's colour-change is caused by chromium ions in the chrysoberyl crystal structure. Chromium absorbs yellow light, and the balance between transmitted green and red wavelengths shifts depending on the light source. Daylight (rich in blue\/green wavelengths) makes the stone appear green, while incandescent light (rich in red wavelengths) makes it appear red or purple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eHow rare is an alexandrite with cat's eye effect?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExtremely rare. Alexandrite itself is one of the rarest gemstones, and specimens that also display chatoyancy (cat's eye) are a small subset of an already scarce material. The stone must contain both the chromium responsible for colour-change and aligned needle-like inclusions that produce the cat's eye, a combination that occurs very infrequently in nature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eCan this alexandrite be set in a ring?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Chrysoberyl (the mineral species that includes alexandrite) rates 8.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. Harder than emerald and nearly as hard as sapphire. A cabochon-set ring in a bezel or protective setting is ideal for showcasing both the colour-change and cat's eye effects while keeping the stone secure for regular wear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e","brand":"My Precious Gems","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43776840990835,"sku":"MPG-AX-0272","price":3500.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0670\/6400\/4723\/files\/30.png?v=1768222035","url":"https:\/\/mypreciousgems.com.au\/products\/natural-alexandrite-cats-eye-2-72ct-cabochon","provider":"My Precious Gems","version":"1.0","type":"link"}