Skip To Content
Go to gemstones.com homepage
Sign In
Recommended searches
Gemopedia
  • Ruby
  • Sapphire
  • Tanzanite
  • Diamond
  • Emerald
  • Opal
  • Moissanite
  • Peridot
  • All Gemstones in Gemopedia
Shop Gemstones
  • Shop Jedora Gemstones
  • Shop JTV Gemstones
Videos
  • All About Black Diamonds
  • Unboxing a Million Dollars in Gemstones!
  • Unboxing Emeralds: Gemologist vs. Geologist
  • Unboxing Rough Diamonds
  • Unboxing Garnet: Rhodolite, Pyrope, Demantoid
  • Marvel Cinematic Gemstones
  • All About Pearls and How They're Made
  • Fun Facts About Tanzanite
  • Freshwater Pearls vs. Saltwater Pearls
  • All Videos
Articles
  • Gemstone Collecting
  • Gemstone Beauty
  • Gemstone Color
  • Gemstone Origins
  • Optical Properties
  • Rare Gemstone Collecting
  • Gemstone Luster
  • Phenomenal Gemstones
  • All Articles
Showcase Collections
  • Quartz Gemstones
  • Organic Gemstones
  • American Gemstones
  • Birthstones
  • Mineral Specimens
  • Colors of Tourmaline
  • All Showcases
Gemstone Discovery App
  • Download the App
About Us
  • About Us
Feedback
  • Survey
Account
  • Account Information
  • Author Biography
  • Articles
  • Gemstones Home
  • Gemopedia

Tiger's Eye

Quartz

By Tim Matthews, JD, FGA, GG, DGA,
CEO and President of JTV
Published: June 2014
Modified: August 2022
Tiger's Eye Polished Tiger's Eye Rough Tiger's Eye Jewelry
Table of Contents
  • General Information
  • Tiger's Eye Colors
  • Alternate Names
  • Countries of Origin
  • History
  • Care
  • More About Tiger's Eye
  • Species/Variety
  • Enhancement

Tiger’s-eye is a chatoyant member of quartz used for both decorative and ornamental purposes throughout history. Chatoyancy manifests as a silky, wavy shimmer across the stone. Tigers eye quartz is made up of quartz with intergrown fibers of amphibole that were altered to golden or rusty-brown limonite. Hawks eye quartz the grayish blue variety of tiger’s-eye and its color is due to the presence of crocidolite fibers.

General Information

  • Classification
  • Optical Properties
  • Characteristic Physical Properties
  • Chemistry & Crystallography
Common Name
Tigers Eye
Species
Quartz
Transparency
Semitranslucent - Opaque
Dispersion
Strength: None
Refractive Index
1.544-1.553
Tolerance:very constant
Birefringence
0.009
Optic Character
Uniaxial
Optic Sign
Positive
Polariscope Reaction
Aggregate (AGG)
Fluorescence
SWUV: Inert
LWUV: Inert
Pleochroism
None
Hardness
7
Streak
Yellow-Brown
Specific Gravity
2.640-2.690 Typical:2.660
Toughness
Good
Inclusions
Tiger's-eye has a wavy fibrous structure. If the stone is dyed there will be dye concentrations along the fibers.
Luster
Silky
Stability
Good
Fracture
Splintery
Cleavage
None
Chemical Name
silicon dioxide (aka silica)
Chemical Formula
SiO2
Crystal System
Trigonal
Chemistry Classification
Silicate

Tiger's Eye Colors

  • Green Tiger's Eye
    Green
  • Yellow Tiger's Eye
    Yellow
  • Red Tiger's Eye
    Red
  • Purple Tiger's Eye
    Purple
  • Pink Tiger's Eye
    Pink
  • Orange Tiger's Eye
    Orange
  • Multi-color Tiger's Eye
    Multi-color
  • Brown Tiger's Eye
    Brown
  • Blue Tiger's Eye
    Blue
  • Black Tiger's Eye
    Black
  • Bi-color Tiger's Eye
    Bi-color
  • Gray Tiger's Eye
    Gray
  • Brown Tiger's Eye
    Brown

Alternate Names

Hawk-Eye, Falcon's-Eye, Zebra Tiger's-Eye, Cat's-Eye

Countries of Origin

Tanzania, United Republic Of; United States of America; Ukraine; Madagascar; Zambia; Kenya; Thailand; United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; India; Unknown; China; Namibia; Brazil; South Africa; Australia; Indonesia

History

It's hard to be truly unique when you come from a large family. Tiger's-eye quartz pulls it off. First, it's a rich, golden yellow that's sometimes deep enough to be called bronze. Second, it has an optical property known as chatoyancy. Tiger's eye has intergrown fibers that, when hit with light, reflect a wavy, silky, shimmer that almost seems to flow across the gem. The eye of the tiger. Spectacular.

Care

Normal care for untreated stones. Avoid sudden temperature changes, chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaners for dyed stones.

More About Tiger's Eye

Quartz, in one form or another, is present in most rock formations. Gem-quality quartz is another matter. Although a stone that is often found in large crystals, gem-quality stones aren't found everywhere. Add a phenomenon like chatoyancy, and the stone becomes even rarer. Tiger's-eye quartz is often found in masculine jewelry, but not exclusively. It's a stone with universal appeal.

Species/Variety

Hawk's-Eye Quartz

Hawk’s eye quartz is grayish blue in color due to the presence of crocidolite fibers intergrown with quartz producing a wavy, chatoyant shimmer. The word chatoyant comes from the French word chatoyer, meaning to shine like a cat's eyes. When the fibers of crocidolite oxidize (a form of alteration due to contact with air), they turn golden brown, producing the related quartz variety, tiger’s eye.

Hawk's-Eye Quartz Tiger's Eye
Hawk's-Eye Quartz Tiger's Eye
  • Classification
  • Optical Properties
  • Characteristic Physical properties
Common Name
Hawk's-Eye Quartz
Pleochroism
None
Specific Gravity
2.60
Toughness
Good
Inclusions
The cat's-eye of the stone will be the same color as the body of the stone and will be easy to see. Hawk's-eye quartz has a wavy, parallel, fibrous structure and the cat's-eye will have a wavy appearance.
Stability
Good

Enhancement

Dyed Tiger's-Eye

Tiger’s-eye is brownish yellow or brown in its natural state. The material can be dyed any color. When you see an unnatural color, it is safe to assume that the stone has been dyed.

Dyed Tiger's-Eye Tiger's Eye
Dyed Tiger's-Eye Tiger's Eye
  • Classification
  • Optical Properties
  • Characteristic Physical properties
Common Name
Dyed Tiger's-Eye
Pleochroism
None
Specific Gravity
2.60
Toughness
Good
Inclusions
Dye concentrations along fibrous structure.
Stability
Good

Red Tiger's-Eye

Reddish brown tiger’s-eye is produced by heat treating.

Red Tiger's-Eye Tiger's Eye
Red Tiger's-Eye Tiger's Eye
  • Classification
  • Optical Properties
  • Characteristic Physical properties
Common Name
Red Tiger's-Eye
Pleochroism
None
Specific Gravity
2.60
Toughness
Good
Stability
Good

Bleached Tiger's-Eye

Tiger’s-Eye can be treated with hydrochloric or oxalic acid to bleach the material to create a pale translucent yellow color. When cut it as a cabochon it can simulate cat’s-eye chrysoberyl.

Bleached Tiger's-Eye Tiger's Eye
Bleached Tiger's-Eye Tiger's Eye
  • Classification
  • Optical Properties
  • Characteristic Physical properties
Common Name
Bleached Tiger's-Eye
Pleochroism
None
Specific Gravity
2.60
Toughness
Good
Stability
Good
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube

Sign up for the latest from Gemstones.com!

 
 
  • About Us
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us
  • Request a Partner Invitation
  • Your Privacy Choices CCPA Icon

©  America's Collectibles Network, Inc. All Rights Reserved.