Tigers Eye Properties, Facts and Photos
What is Tigers Eye?
Tigers eye is a popular mineral known for its brown and yellow colour and bands that appear to shimmer with the reflection of light.
Known as tiger eye in North America, this popular variety of quartz is used primarily for carvings, tumbled stones, and gemstones.
The optical phenomenon known as chatoyancy or chatoyance, is best known for being present in tigers eye.
Although it can be found in a few minerals, it's relatively rare compared to other optical phenomena. It occurs when light reflects off fibrous or needle-like inclusions in the stone.
The reflection creates a narrow parallel band of light that imparts a silky sheen. The extent to which it can be seen depends on the orientation of the fibres and the level of expertise used when cutting.
Chatoyant gemstones are cut as cabochons because the domed shape enhances the phenomenon.
As tigers eye is gently moved, the band of light also moves which gives the impression the stone's patterns are moving.
The word 'chatoyant' comes from French for 'cat's eye'.
Brown and yellow tigers eye is the most popular variety. It's also the colour most people are familiar with. Red tigers eye eye and black tigers eye can be produced when the stone is heated.
Blue tigers eye, also known as Hawks Eye, is natural.
Heat treatments have been used for thousands of years to enhance or change the colour of rocks and minerals. Ancient Roman author, naturalist and philosopher Pliny the Elder documented the effects of fire on stones. He wrote, "One gemstone could be changed into another" and "The colour of quartz could be changed to that of an emerald."
In chapter 75 of his encyclopaedia, Naturalis Historia, Pliny writes;
There is considerable difficulty in distinguishing genuine stones from false; the more so, as there has been discovered a method of transforming genuine stones of one kind into false stones of another.
Sardonyx, for example, is imitated by cementing together three other precious stones, in such a way that no skill can detect the fraud; a black stone being used for the purpose, a white stone, and one of a vermilion colour, each of them, in its own way, a stone of high repute.
Nay, even more than this, there are books in existence, the authors of which I forbear to name, which give instructions how to stain crystal in such a way as to imitate smaragdus and other transparent stones, how to make sardonyx of sarda, and other gems in a similar manner. Indeed, there is no kind of fraud practised, by which larger profits are made.
Ref; (Pliny's Naturalis Historia chapter 75) Please Note.
Tigers eye is a relatively hard stone which makes it easy to work with. On the Mohs scale of hardness it grades 7. The Mohs scale is a tool that grades the resistance of one mineral when scratched by another.
Huge reserves of tigers eye can be found in Western Australia, which is an area rich in iron. South Africa also has vast reserves. The finest-grade material comes from Griqualand West in the Northern Cape.
The Association of Tigers Eye with Asbestos
There is some concern regarding the presence of asbestos in tigers eye.
Until quite recently, it was widely believed that the crocidolite, a type of asbestos, had been replaced with silicon dioxide over millions of years.
In geology, when one mineral replaces another, the process is known as pseudomorphism. A pseudomorph looks like one mineral but is actually another. Although the shape or crystal structure of the original mineral remains the same, the mineral itself has changed. A new mineral replaces the original one.
Pseudomorph literally means 'false form'.
Although it had long been believed that the asbestos in tigers eye had been replaced with quartz, a study carried out in 2003 revealed no mineral replacement has taken place. Tigers eye is made up of crocidolite and quartz.
Many articles still claim the crocidolite has been replaced with quartz, but this in-depth study concludes otherwise.
The word asbestos often causes panic, but the danger from this mineral comes from inhaling its dust or fibres. In tigers eye, the crocidolite is locked deep within the quartz, so it poses no risk.
Asbestos was widely used on an industrial scale until the year 2000. It only becomes dangerous when microscopic fibres break away, become airborne and are breathed in. That's simply not possible when handling a tigers eye stone because the asbestos fibres are encapsulated within the quartz.
It's worth noting that malachite is an ore of copper and as such, its dust is highly toxic. The microscopic crystalline silica particles in the mineral quartz are also dangerous if inhaled. Silicosis is a serious lung disease caused by inhaling these fine particles.
In fact, the dust or fibres from many minerals can be hazardous, but that doesn't mean they're dangerous to handle. They only become a health hazard while being cut, sanded or drilled.
The chatoyance in tigers eye is caused as light reflects off the crocidolite fibres. Please Note.
Properties of Tigers Eye
Tigers eye has long been associated with protection. Roman soldiers are believed to have worn or carried the stone because it was thought to be an all-seeing eye that would keep them safe.
Tiger's eye enhances psychic ability, brings out integrity, and helps you achieve your goals. It helps you recognise the needs of others as well as your own. It differentiates between what you want and what you need.
Tiger's eye can resolve dilemmas and internal conflicts, combat indecisiveness, release inner talents and abilities, and support those who suffer from addictive personalities.
On an emotional level, the healing properties of tigers can help with revitalisation. It balances yin and yang energies, lifts a low mood and protects against negative thoughts.
Tigers eye is a stone for business success because of its ability to bring clarity. It symbolises willpower, confidence, and assurance. Its calming energy helps relieve obstinate or stubborn behaviour and can help reduce stress.
Article Photos
The photos of tigers eye in our article, including the red and black tigers eye in the pop-up photos, are from our collection.Other pop-up photos: Pseudomorph goethite after pyrite - Courtesy of Stan Celestian.
