Description
Glass
History
Although glass isn’t, technically, a gemstone, it’s used so often as a simulant and in beads we feel it’s worthy of listing. Most glass is man-made and has a hardness of 5 – 51/2 on the Mohs scale. It’s made from sand that is almost pure silicon dioxide, with a few proprietary additives to adapt for temperature and color. Glass is a go-to product for jewelry due to its versatility. It can be colored, twisted, textured, sand-blasted, bent and even faceted. In short, glass is limited in design only by the imagination. It can simulate most gemstones. The downside? Glass is fragile and can be worn away over time. It’s best suited for necklaces and earrings. If your bracelets and rings are made of glass, exercise care when you wear them. Glass pieces should always be stored in a well-protected space.
Cat’s Eye
The term cat’s eye, or chatoyancy, is used to describe a phenomenal optical property in gemstones, in this case man-made glass. The effect, when present, appears as a bright, narrow slit similar to the pupils in the eyes of your favorite feline. This phenomenon is caused by parallel fibrous or needle-like inclusions that interfere with the passage of light through the crystal, scattering and reflecting light back to the viewer as a thin line.Although in this case the phenomenon is not natural, it offers an affordable alternative to this rare phenomenon seen with some natural gems.
Cat’s Eye acts to stimulate intuition and to enhance awareness. It is a grounding stone that provides a very effective protective energy. Cat’s Eye dispels unwanted energy from the aura. It amplifies good luck and fortune. … Traditionally, Cat’s Eye is believed to protect the wearer from evil spirits.
