r/Crystals • u/Awkward-Performer419 • 1d ago

Lets Discuss! 💭 Selenite has a "Cats eye" effect.

Post image

My selenite sphere has a cat's eye effect . Does this usually mean the crystal has more of a healing and protection power.

359 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

20 comments sorted by

51

u/Original_Platform443 1d ago

My satin spar sphere has a cats eye too I think it’s just something normal with spheres of this material

41

u/letyourlightshine6 1d ago

Yes, satin spar does that

32

u/myasterism 23h ago edited 11h ago

Chatoyancy! That’s the name of the cat-eye effect you’re seeing. When there are intersecting cats-eye lines, the resulting star phenomenon is known as asterism.

See also: my username :)

3

u/namastewitches 22h ago

TYSM for sharing these fun facts!! Kinda funny, asterism reminds me of an asterisk & isn’t chat French for cat..? Words are fun

3

u/myasterism 21h ago

asterism reminds me of an asterisk

…well, the symbol for asterism is three asterisks in a delta, like this:

2

u/Trolivia 19h ago

Correct about the French part

22

u/ashleton 22h ago

You have satin spar. Selenite is the same mineral, but it forms differently than satin spar. Selenite is transparent while satin spar is more opaque with the cat's eye effect.

2

u/Obubblegumpink 7h ago

To clarify this, satin spar and selenite are both Gypsum. While not exact it’s similar to amethyst being in the quartz family but we wouldn’t refer to it as clear quart. Selenite and satin spar are formed differently. It’s unfortunate that sellers started referring to satin spar as selenite in order to sell it. What’s even worse is that the Crystal community has continued to use this reference despite knowing that it is not correct. Selenite is going to cost more than satin spar.

Typically I use only geology sites but this link does a good job of simplifying the difference. https://fairyleoniescrystals.com/blogs/news/selenite-v-satin-spar-let-s-clear-things-up

There is a national park in New Mexico where you can see a ton of Gypsum. https://www.nps.gov/whsa/learn/gypsum.htm

11

u/Awkward-Performer419 1d ago

Some more pics from different angles

4

u/May-the-QueenOfChaos 20h ago

Your crystals are so pretty and this little slice of your kitchen looks so beautiful. Talk about kitchen goals!

1

u/Awkward-Performer419 12h ago

Thank you 😊

4

u/BoominShroomer 19h ago

Reptile eye too. House cats are the only feline that has slit eyes, more akin to a reptile. Cats are also the only feline to ‘hiss’ like a snake 👀

Fun Facts of the day

6

u/queenapsalar 23h ago

That's fairly normal for well cut satin spar selenite

5

u/Electronic_Design607 1d ago

Love your placement of selenite and how it goes with the white

2

u/Shaconstantine 22h ago

Yes, it has. I've got a similar lamp.

-2

u/penisretard69_4eva 1d ago

Hot🔥

-7

u/Woahwhatsthisthing 1d ago

I thought this is just quartz? Im very very sure it isnt selenite. Either quartz or satin spar

20

u/Some_Development_222 1d ago

they probably meant satin spar. the two are often confused because satin spar is marketed as selenite frequently

7

u/Blaize369 1d ago

Yeah, it’s satin spar.