cat's-eye

cat's–eye

noun \ˈkat-ˌsī\

plural cat's–eyes

Definition of CAT'S-EYE

1

: any of various gems (as a chrysoberyl or a chalcedony) exhibiting opalescent reflections from within

2

: a marble with eyelike concentric circles

First Known Use of CAT'S-EYE

circa 1599

cat's-eye

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Chrysoberyl cat's-eye with yellow banding on a brown stone—John H. Gerard

Any of several gemstones that display a luminous band reminiscent of the eye of a cat. Grayish green or greenish quartz cat's-eye is the most common type; although it comes from the Orient, it is often called occidental cat's-eye to differentiate it from the rarer, and more valuable, precious or oriental cat's-eye, which is a greenish variety of chrysoberyl. Crocidolite cat's-eye (African cat's-eye) is more commonly known as tigereye. Corundum cat's-eye is an imperfect star sapphire or ruby in which the star is reduced to a luminous zone.