Tiger's Eye semiprecious gemstone index and mineral information

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Throughout history gemstones have been admired and worn as amulets and talismans; believed to have powers to protect against evil, disease, and as safeguards of health. Gemstones have also been worn as a symbol of status of the wearer. In astrology, stones were assigned to each planet, month (birthstones), and even days of the week. Today, some of these associations are still being used, like the connection of gemstones and precious metals with anniversaries, as one example.

Gemstoneindex provides you with historical and scientific facts about gemstones, both precious and semi-precious, including their optical and physical properties, and how and where they are found worldwide. In addition, you will find information on other materials, such as pearl, shell, amber and other descendants of plants or animals. These are called organic gemstones.

Whether you are interested in a gemstone for educational purposes or just to attain knowledge on your favorite stones, you will find a good introduction to the subject here.

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Tiger’s eye is a semiprecious variety of quartz that is formed from hawk’s-eye, where the iron from the decomposed crocidolite has oxidized to a brown color, keeping the fibrous structure. As a result it is more opaque and has a rich yellow to brown color. It exhibits chatoyancy, a vertical luminescent band like that of a cat’s eye. The luster is silky on fractures.

Tiger’s eye is found together with hawk’s-eye in slabs of a few inches thickness. When cut en cabochon, the gem has a fine luster. Tiger’s-eye is used for necklaces, costume jewelry and ornaments. Red tiger’s-eye is artificially dyed. The material is cut flat, into slabs or plates, in order to show off the optical effect. It is an inexpensive stone.

Tiger’s-eye is found in South Africa, India, Burma, Western Australia and the United States in the state of California.

Mohs’ hardness: 6.5 – 7