Natural Cat Eye (Lehsunia) Stone in Pakistan

The "eye" explained

The moving line is called chatoyancy. It happens when thousands of fine, parallel needle-like inclusions inside the stone reflect light in a single band. To show it, the stone must be cut as a smooth cabochon with the needles lying exactly flat. Turn a good cat's eye under one light source and the line rolls from side to side; hold a torch to one side and you may see the "milk and honey" effect, where one half looks milky and the other stays golden.

Chrysoberyl or quartz: know which you are buying

Several minerals can show an eye, and the name matters for value:

• Chrysoberyl cat's eye - the true, classic Lehsunia. Very hard (8.5 on the Mohs scale) with a silky honey, golden or greenish body. Sri Lanka and India are well-known sources.
• Quartz cat's eye - a softer, cheaper stone with a broader, less sharp eye. It is sometimes sold as Lehsunia, so check the mineral named on the listing.
• Glass "cat's eye" - made from fibre-optic glass; look at the side and you may see a honeycomb pattern.

What raises the value of a Lehsunia

A sharp, narrow, straight eye that sits in the centre of the dome is the first thing to check. Next comes body colour (honey-gold and apple-green tones are popular), followed by translucency, a well-shaped symmetrical dome and size. A stone with a crisp eye and fine colour can cost several times more than one with a blurry or off-centre line. Each listing's per-carat rate equals price divided by carat weight.

Testing and certificates

Under a single light, a genuine chrysoberyl cat's eye shows one clean line that moves smoothly as you tilt it, and the stone feels cold and heavy for its size. Because quartz and chrysoberyl can look alike to the untrained eye, a certificate of authenticity is worth asking for on a significant purchase. It is available on request, and independent lab testing can be arranged.

Lehsunia in Vedic astrology

In Vedic astrology Lehsunia is the stone of Ketu, and it is traditionally worn for protection and in the hope of sudden good fortune. Like Neelam, it is regarded in tradition as a stone to wear only after advice. These are beliefs, not guarantees; please consult an experienced astrologer about weight, metal and finger.

Caring for your cat eye

Chrysoberyl is very durable. Clean it with warm soapy water and keep it apart from diamonds and sapphires, which are harder.

Ordering cat's eye from GemStore

We inspect every stone and photograph it under normal light so you can see the eye. Delivery covers all of Pakistan by insured, tracked courier, Cash on Delivery lets you check the stone before paying, and our 7-day return policy applies to unused stones in their original condition.