Which gem is known for its chatoyancy caused by multiple slender crystals or channels?

Study for the GIA Colored Stones Test. Enhance your knowledge with flashcards, multiple choice questions, and detailed explanations for every answer. Prepare to excel in your exam!

The gem known for its chatoyancy, which is the optical effect resembling the slit-eye of a cat, is indeed cat's-eye quartz. This phenomenon occurs due to the presence of multiple slender channels or fibrous inclusions within the stone. When light hits these fibers, it reflects in a way that creates a sharp line of light across the surface of the stone, giving it its distinctive look.

Cat's-eye quartz captures this effect beautifully, making it a popular choice for jewelry. The chatoyancy in cat's-eye is effectively enhanced by the arrangement of these slender inclusions, which allow for the striking band of light to be visible across the stone. This characteristic is highly valued in gemology and sets cat's-eye quartz apart from other stones that may have different optical properties or effects.

In contrast, while jadeite, the "Eye of the Tiger" (which typically refers to tiger's eye), and aventurine are all notable gems, they do not exhibit the same type of chatoyancy due to the specific structure and nature of their crystal formations. Tiger's eye, for instance, displays a similar effect but is distinctly different due to its composition and the presence of crocidolite fibers, which creates a golden or brown striped

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