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The Costa Del Mar Catherine 2012 Sunglasses bring refined style and serious performance together in a soft cat-eye frame that works as well on the water as it does around town. Part of Costa's Del Mar Collection, the Catherine is a lifestyle frame designed around the colors, patterns, and textures of the sea.
Sustainable Bio-Acetate Construction
These frames are made from Bio-Acetate, a material composed of 67% natural and renewable resources including vegetable-based plasticizers and responsibly sourced wood pulp from FSC-certified forests. Compared to standard acetate, Bio-Acetate reduces the carbon footprint of each pair by 54%. The result is a lightweight, durable frame that holds its shape under harsh conditions while supporting Costa's commitment to protecting the waters they call home. Core-wire temple designs add structural integrity and a distinctive look pulled straight from ocean waves.
Costa 580 Lens Technology
Every pair comes equipped with Costa's patented 580 lens technology—engineered by in-house light spectrum experts to do what standard polarized lenses can't. The 580 system optimizes the light spectrum around 580 nanometers (the yellow-green wavelength) to enhance color contrast and definition, while blocking harmful high-energy visible (HEV) blue light. This allows reds, greens, and blues to pop with enhanced clarity. All lenses provide 100% UV protection and 100% polarization to eliminate reflective glare from water, roads, and glass. The C-Wall molecular bond coating adds scratch resistance and repels water, oil, and sweat for easy cleaning.
The Catherine is available in both 580G glass lenses (20% thinner and 22% lighter than average polarized glass, with superior optical clarity) and 580P polycarbonate lenses (more impact-resistant and cost-effective without sacrificing clarity). The 6-base lens curve provides comfortable coverage without excessive wrap.
Fit, Style & Prescription Options
The soft cat-eye shape offers a modern take on a classic silhouette. Reviewers note the Catherine fits smaller faces particularly well—the temples are snug without being tight, and the frame doesn't overwhelm. Available in nine color combinations ranging from translucent Shallows to classic Tortoise, with lens options including Rose Gradient, Copper Silver Mirror, Gray, and Gold Mirror.
The Catherine is prescription-ready, so you can add your Rx and still enjoy Costa's full suite of polarized lens benefits. These sunglasses deliver the clarity and protection Costa has been known for since 1983.
Product Details
Product DetailsModel
06S2012Shape
Gender
Material
Bridge Type
Rim Type
Age Group
Color Details
Color DetailsFrame Color
BrownColor Code
201203Color Description
BrownLens Color
Copper Silver Mirror
Frame Color
TortoiseColor Code
201202Color Description
TortoiseLens Color
Rose Gradient
Color Code
201204Color Description
MulticolorLens Color
Gray
Frame Color
TortoiseColor Code
201201Color Description
TortoiseLens Color
Copper
Frame Color
TortoiseColor Code
201205Color Description
TortoiseLens Color
Gold MirrorLens Features
polarized
Color Code
201206Color Description
SandbarLens Color
Copper Silver MirrorLens Features
polarized
Color Code
201207Color Description
Sun RayLens Color
GrayLens Features
polarized
Frame Color
TortoiseColor Code
201209Color Description
Sunset TortoiseLens Color
Rose GradientLens Features
polarized
Color Code
201210Color Description
Cielo Ocean TortoiseLens Color
Copper GradientLens Features
polarized
Frame Color
TortoiseColor Code
201211Color Description
Sand TortoiseLens Color
Copper GradientLens Features
polarized
Size Details
Size DetailsBridge Width
17.00Temple Length
143.00Size
5717-143
Bridge Width
17.00Temple Length
143.00Size
5717-143
Bridge Width
17.00Temple Length
143.00Size
5717-143
Bridge Width
17.00Temple Length
143.00Size
5717-143
Bridge Width
17.00Temple Length
143.00Size
5717-143
Bridge Width
17.00Temple Length
143.00Size
5717-143
Bridge Width
17.00Temple Length
143.00Size
5717-143
Bridge Width
17.00Temple Length
143.00Size
5717-143
Bridge Width
17.00Temple Length
143.00Size
5717-143
Bridge Width
17.00Temple Length
143.00Size
5717-143
While the glasses are exactly what I ordered and wanted the shipping and updates took forever. Overall I am satisfied just the shipping took forever
These are so awesome. My friend paid almost $300 elsewhere for the exact same pair!
I love the Catherine Costa. They fit great & very stylish too.
Buying glasses online isn't easy. The Catherine is a nice frame - it's a little bit wider than I would like and I should have looked at the measurements. They could use a small adjustment as well. The only reason I am giving these frames a 4/5 is that the Rx lenses aren't quite as dark as I'd like. The prescription and multifocal progressive lenses are perfect! I would recommend Designer Optics and would buy other frames on this website.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Costa Catherine sunglasses prescription-ready?
Yes, the Costa Catherine 2012 is fully prescription-ready. You can add single-vision, progressive, or bifocal lenses while maintaining Costa's polarization and UV protection. Prescription lenses will replace the pre-installed lenses, and you can choose between polycarbonate or glass lens materials depending on your needs.
What is the difference between 580G and 580P lenses?
580G lenses are made of glass and offer superior optical clarity and scratch resistance—they're 20% thinner and 22% lighter than average polarized glass. 580P lenses are polycarbonate, making them more impact-resistant, lighter, and more cost-effective while still delivering excellent clarity. Both provide 100% polarization, UV protection, and Costa's color-enhancing 580 technology.
Are all Costa Catherine lenses polarized?
Yes, all Costa Del Mar sunglasses—including the Catherine 2012—come with 100% polarized lenses. Costa specializes exclusively in polarized eyewear to eliminate glare from reflective surfaces like water, roads, and glass, making them ideal for fishing, boating, driving, and outdoor activities.
What makes Bio-Acetate frames more sustainable?
The Catherine's Bio-Acetate frames are made from 67% natural and renewable materials, including vegetable-based plasticizers and responsibly sourced wood pulp from FSC-certified forests. This reduces the carbon footprint by 54% compared to standard petroleum-based acetate, while still delivering the durability and lightweight comfort Costa is known for.
How do the Costa Catherine sunglasses fit?
The Catherine features a medium (M) fit with a 57mm lens width, 17mm bridge, and 143mm temple length. The soft cat-eye shape and 6-base lens curve provide comfortable coverage. Customer reviews note the Catherine fits smaller faces particularly well, with snug but comfortable temples that don't overwhelm the face.
What is Costa's C-Wall coating?
C-Wall is a molecularly bonded coating applied to Costa lenses that provides extra scratch resistance and creates a barrier that repels water, oil, and sweat. This makes the lenses easier to clean and more durable than standard coatings, which are simply applied to the surface and can wear off over time.
Compare With Similar Frames
How the Costa Del Mar Catherine 2012 Sunglasses stacks up against the closest alternatives we carry.
- Combination metal and acetate construction for varied styling
- Corrosion-resistant metal components ideal for saltwater environments
- More style variations available due to mixed materials
Read the full comparison
Costa Catherine vs. Other Women's Costa Sunglasses
If you're drawn to the Catherine's soft cat-eye style but want to explore your options, here's how it stacks up against similar frames in our Costa collection.
Catherine vs. Sarasota
Both the Catherine and the Costa Sarasota are part of the Del Mar Collection and share a cat-eye aesthetic, but they differ in fit and price. The Sarasota is a small acetate frame with a relaxed cat-eye design, making it ideal for petite faces or those who prefer a more understated look. It's also more budget-friendly at $161-$249. The Catherine, by contrast, offers a medium fit with more prominent soft cat-eye styling and is part of Costa's newer Bio-Acetate sustainability initiative. If you have a smaller face or want to save some money, the Sarasota is a solid choice. If you want the latest eco-friendly materials and a slightly larger, more refined frame, the Catherine is worth the investment.
Catherine vs. Fernandina
The Costa Fernandina takes a different design approach with combination metal and acetate construction. This mixed-material build offers more style variations and a different aesthetic—less soft and feminine, more architectural. The metal components are corrosion-resistant, making the Fernandina excellent for saltwater environments, but they also add weight compared to the Catherine's all-acetate build. The Fernandina doesn't feature the sustainable Bio-Acetate that makes the Catherine stand out environmentally. Choose the Fernandina if you prefer mixed materials and don't mind a bit more heft; stick with the Catherine if you want lightweight, eco-conscious acetate and that signature soft cat-eye shape.
Why Choose the Catherine?
The Catherine hits a sweet spot: it's part of Costa's sustainability push with Bio-Acetate frames that reduce carbon footprint by 54%, it offers a medium fit that works for a wide range of face shapes (especially smaller faces, according to customer reviews), and it delivers all the lens technology Costa is famous for—580 color enhancement, 100% polarization, and C-Wall scratch resistance. If you want a refined, lifestyle-forward frame that performs on the water but looks polished everywhere else, the Catherine is the standout choice.
At a Glance
Costa Del Mar Sarasota 2010 Sunglasses
Pros:
- Smaller fit - described as 'small acetate frame' vs Catherine's medium fit
- Lower price point ($161-$249 vs $262-$285)
- Relaxed cat-eye design that 'transcends time and age'
- Four vibrant color schemes with delicate design features
Cons:
- Smaller lens size may provide less coverage
- Less prominent in Costa's marketing (Catherine is a newer addition to Del Mar Collection)
- May not fit larger faces as comfortably
Costa Del Mar Fernandina 4007 Sunglasses
Pros:
- Combination metal and acetate construction for varied styling
- Corrosion-resistant metal components ideal for saltwater environments
- More style variations available due to mixed materials
- Similar price range ($150-$310)
Cons:
- Heavier due to metal components
- Not made from sustainable Bio-Acetate like the Catherine
- Different aesthetic - less of the soft, refined cat-eye look