Tiger’s Eye is believed to be a protective stone endowing courage and willpower. It is used to promote creativity, focusing of the mind, and cultivate clear thinking.
This gemstone displays chatoyancy (a small ray of light on the surface) and when cut to a cabochon it resembles the eye of a tiger. The golden yellow colour of the stone is produced by the presence of brown iron.
When the gem is bluish in colour it is renamed Hawk’s Eye Quartz and when a greenish grey, it is renamed Ox Eye Quartz or sometimes Bull’s Eye Quartz.
This member of the Quartz family, with its brown and golden stripes, has been fascinating man for thousands of years. Romans would wear Tiger’s Eye as a talisman in battle and it was often set into swords and helmets.
Since antiquity, Tiger’s Eye has been worn as an amulet to bring about good luck and to protect against witchcraft. The gem is said to help put you on the right path of life, as well as helping you understand your own faults.
Crystal Healers believe that the gem can help those who suffer from hypochondria and asthma.
It is primarily mined in South Africa, though Tiger’s Eye is also found in Western Australia, Burma, India and California.
