catseye
Gem with chatoyance
Catseye refers to several things united by resemblance to a cat's eye.
A cat's-eye marble has a colored twist visible through clear glass.
Catseye gemstones—chrysoberyl especially—display chatoyancy, a bright band of reflected light that shifts as the stone moves.
Catseyes are also the small reflectors embedded in road surfaces or attached to bicycle wheels, glowing when headlights strike them: The catseyes guided us through the fog.
Light-redirecting surface
- lane markerPainted line dividing traffic
- retroreflectiveReflects toward light source
- highwayMajor road for travel
- safetyFreedom from harm
visibility · nighttime · pavement · traffic · driving · headlight · illumination · guidance
Domed, unfaceted gemstone
- silicaSilicon dioxide compound
- lusterSoft reflected light
- alexandriteColor-changing precious stone
- moonstoneIridescent feldspar gemstone
asterism · inclusion · carat · hardness · refraction · lapidary · geode · mineralogy
Learner or eye opening
- slitNarrow elongated opening
- nocturnalActive during darkness
- retinaLight-sensing tissue layer
- tapetum lucidumLight-reflecting ocular membrane
eyeshine · night vision · predator · glow · reflective · vertical · dilate · luminous
reflector
Light-redirecting surface
- lane markerPainted line dividing traffic
- retroreflectiveReflects toward light source
- highwayMajor road for travel
safety · visibility · nighttime · pavement · traffic · driving · headlight · illumination · guidance · median
cabochon
Domed, unfaceted gemstone
- silicaSilicon dioxide compound
- lusterSoft reflected light
- alexandriteColor-changing precious stone
moonstone · asterism · inclusion · carat · hardness · refraction · lapidary · geode · mineralogy · crystallography
pupil
Learner or eye opening
tapetum lucidum · eyeshine · night vision · predator · glow · reflective · vertical · dilate · luminous · hunting
amulet
Worn protective token
- charmAttractive personal quality
- wardProtected person; division
- protectionGuarding against harm
luck · superstition · guardian · safeguard · omen · blessing · sacred · mystical · spiritual · warding
pendant
Suspended jewelry ornament
brooch · bezel · setting · ornament · heirloom · accessory · goldsmith · jeweler · gemcutter · facet
- British Inventionssteam engine, jet engine, spinning jenny, power loom, telephone