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CHAPTER VIII.
THE TRUE OR ORIENTAL CAT'S EYE.
THE CHRYSOBERYL.
HE true or Oriental Cat's Eye is a rare variety of the Chrysoberyl or Cymophane—a stone of extreme hardness, in this respect being only inferior to the Diamond and the Sapphire-It is characterized by possessing a remarkable play of light in a certain direction, resulting, it is supposed, from a pecu­liarity in its internal structure, which appears to be minutely striated. This ray of light, or " line " as it is termed by jewellers, shines in fine and well-polished speci­mens with a phosphorescent lustre. In India the lines of light are called betas, and the price increases according to these " betas."
The Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye comes principally from Ceylon, where it is found in company with Sapphires, Zircons, and other gem-stones ; and it has also been found in China. It is of various colours, ranging from pale-straw colour through all shades of brown, and from very pale apple-green to the deepest olive. Some specimens, much sought for by Americans, are almost black. The line, no matter what ground-colour the stone may possess, is nearly always white, and more or less irides­cent ; occasionally, but very rarely, however, the line is of a golden hue. This lustre is most beautiful when seen in full sun-light, or by gas-light, when the lines become more defined and vivid.