Tiger's eye

Tiger's eye is a quartz with parallel fibers that reflect light in a moving band, an effect called chatoyancy. The golden and brown wavy tones recall the eye of a big cat.

Properties #

• Composition: quartz with crocidolite fibers replaced by silica.
• Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale.
• Color: golden, brown and reddish; “hawk's eye” is blue-gray.
• Origins: South Africa, Australia, India and Brazil.
• Treatments: may be dyed or heated.

Uses in jewelry #

• Cabochons and beads.
• Signet rings and pendants.
• Men's and rustic jewelry.

Pros and cons #

Advantages #

• Durable and affordable.
• Striking optical effect.
• Warm color.

Limitations #

• Opaque; no crystalline sparkle.
• Dye may fade.
• Imitated with glass.

Care and cleaning #

• Clean with lukewarm water and mild soap.
• Avoid intense heat.
• Store apart.

See also #

• Gemstones in jewelry
• Quartz and its varieties