1.19 ct. California Cat's Eye Demantoid - The Gem Trader Rare Gems

1.19 ct. California Cat’s Eye Demantoid


  • Color: Dark Green

  • Clarity: Opaque

  • Origin: San Benito Co., California

  • Cut: Oval Cabochon

  • Treatments: None

  • Measurements: 6.7 x 4.9 mm

A very rare phenomena for Andradite Garnet - one that doesn't occur in the famed deposits of Russia, but at a tiny find in California! - is chatoyancy. Cat's eye Topazolite has trickled out of this find in San Benito Co. for many years, but the supply is erratic and we never see many; the eyes are not laser sharp but are somewhat diffuse while remaining quite distinct. What many don’t realize is that the find is also capable of the occasional chromium-rich Demantoid as well. This results in just about the world’s only deposit of top color, true cat’s eye Demantoid. A fantastic stone, free of problems and with the very finest color and quality of chatoyancy one could hope for. A gorgeous American rarity.

$950 / carat - $1130 total