Tiger Eye

Tiger eye is another gemstone form of chalcedony (quartz). With tigers eye, the name says it all – the allure of the stone is in its unique eyelike feature.

The yellow and golden brown color of the tiger eye comes from iron in the tigers eye stone. A ray of light crossing the surface of the tiger eye stone gives the gem the appearance of the eye of a tiger, which is further enhanced by the color of the stone that so closely resembles that of a tiger’s.

Tigers eye stones are believed to have magical powers, probably because of the lifelike characteristics of the stone. The magical powers of the tiger eyes stone draw from beliefs in the strength of the tiger and tigers eye stone healing powers.

The best tigers eye stones are the African tiger eye stone pieces mined in South Africa. There is also beautiful Peruvian samples and tigers eyes mined from West Australia, India, Burma, and the state of California in the United States.

One of the most popular uses of tiger’s eye gemstones is making jewellery with tigers eye stones. Tiger eye jewelry is crafted in all types of jewelry, including tigers eye necklace pendants, tiger eye earrings, and especially tiger eyes rings.

But there are other uses of tiger’s eye stone; tiger eye stone decorator pieces as home accessories are also sought after. Uses of tigers eye in decorative pieces include tiger eye carvings and tiger eye eggs, as well as inlaid boxes and more. Another decorative piece that is valued in home décor is a decorative tiger eye arrowhead.

Tiger’s eye might be cut in a variety of jewel shapes, but more often than not tiger’s eye is cut into the shape called cabochon. A cabochon is an oval shape with a smooth, polished surface. Cabochons maximize shine and the internal characteristics of tiger eye stones. Cabochon cut stones are the best to display the 'chatoyancy' present in tigers eye. Chatoyancy refers to that small sweeping ray of light across the surface of the tiger eye gemstone; it is what gives the stone it name and reputation, and without it, tiger’s eye is not all that it should be.

The eye of the tiger – the tiger’s eye – is a unique gift of nature. A subject for beautiful jewelry and equally beautiful décor, the tiger’s eye is a gem that lends mystical color and intriguing qualities to the pieces which are blessed to hold this all-seeing gem.