Properties of Cat’s Eye Gem

Planet: Ketu
Indian Name: Sutra-mani
Other Names: Ketu-ratna, Ketu’s gem, Vaidurya, Cats eye, Sutra-mani.
Sign: Pisces
Hardness: 8.5  on Mohs scale
Element: Water
Cosmic Color: Infra-red

Source

Cat’s eye gemstone is found in India, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Brazil, China, Russia & Burma.

Care & Cleaning
Clean with a soft polishing cloth, plain water rinse mild solution of soap & water or commercial jewelry cleaner as they can damage the cat’s eye. Do not soak. Also avoid sudden temperature changes.

Some Flaws of Cat’s Eye:

• Dullness – the cat’s-eye that is not brilliant and is shining and flimsy is injurious for physical health and personal wealth
• Crack inside the gemstone – brings injuries from sharp-edged weapons
• Cobweb inside the gemstone – brings imprisonment and is harmful for the wearer
• Having five streaks or bands of light – brings misfortune
• Holes or dents – bring diseases of the stomach
• Flat – devoid of effect and therefore not suitable for wearing
• Uneven in shape – unlucky

Some Qualities of a Good Cat’s-Eye:

• Smoothness
• Brilliance of chatoyance
• High specific gravity – heavier than average stone of the same size
• Having three streaks of light, similar to the sacred thread worn by Brahmins in India
• Straightness of the chatoyance

Tests for Identification of Real Cat’s Eye:

• If a real cat’s eye gemstone is put in a dark place, it shines like the eyes of a cat.
• If a real cat’s eye gemstone is rubbed against a cloth, its brilliance increases.

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