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chatoyancy

   Also found in: Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.02 sec.
cha·toy·ant  (sh-toint)
adj.
Having a changeable luster.
n.
A chatoyant stone or gemstone, such as the cat's-eye.

[French, present participle of chatoyer, to shimmer like cats' eyes, from chat, cat, from Vulgar Latin *cattus, perhaps of African origin.]

cha·toyan·cy n.

chatoyancy
the condition or quality of changing in color or luster depending on the angle of light, especially of a gemstone that reflects a single shaft of light when cut in cabochon form. — chatoyant, adj.
See also: Gems
the condition or quality of changing in color or luster depending on the angle of light, especially of a gemstone that reflects a single shaft of light when cut in cabochon form. — chatoyant, adj.
See also: Light
the condition or quality of changing in color or luster depending on the angle of light, exhibited especially by a gemstone that reflects a single shaft of light when cut in cabochon form. — chatoyant, adj.
See also: Color


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? Mentioned in ? References in periodicals archive
 
Chatoyancy occurs when light reflects from minute, parallel ridges, fibers, or tubes within a transparent material.
 
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