Definition of chatoyant in English:
chatoyant
adjective ʃəˈtɔɪəntSHəˈtoiənt
(of a gem, especially when cut en cabochon) showing a band of bright lustre caused by reflection from inclusions in the stone.
Example sentencesExamples
- The future availability of chatoyant demantoid in not known.
- Unlike most chatoyant malachite, this material is hard and doesn't fall apart when worked.
- Cuts must be exactly parallel to the length of the fibers to get the full chatoyant effect.
Derivatives
noun
The cause of its chatoyance can be embedded fibers of asbestos, as well as actinolite fibers.
Example sentencesExamples
- Pieces showing an unusual crystal habit, distinctive pattern, or chatoyance, will have higher values.
- The chatoyance is so bright in the best examples it makes it very difficult to get good pictures.
- Another bad effect from diffuse lighting is that chatoyance is greatly diminished.
noun
There are many stones which exhibit chatoyancy to various degrees.
Example sentencesExamples
- It is commonly fashioned into cabochons which is a cut that maximizes the chatoyancy of the mineral.
- They discovered that embedded within the rippling chatoyancy lies a record of the tectonic movements that shaped the Earth.
- The enamel has incredible luster and chatoyancy with an overall hue of dark metallic golden bronze.
Origin
Late 18th century: French, present participle of chatoyer 'to shimmer'.