Hardness: 7.00
Refractive Index: 1.54-1.55
Specific Gravity: 2.65
Birthstone: November
Astral Stone: Gemini, Virgo, Leo
Anniversary Stone: 39th
Origination: South Africa, Australia, the United States, and others.
Care & Cleaning: Clean with a soft polishing cloth, plain water rinse or mild solution of soap & water. Do not use harsh detergents.
Fiction, Facts & Folklore:
Tiger’s-eye is a chatoyant variety of the quartz mineral group.
It generally shows a brown to golden background. The eye is a result of asbestos inclusions, while its’ black bands indicate the presence of iron oxide.
Tiger's-eye is often found in conjunction with deposits of hematite. In fact, in many cases, hematite is found residing in the tiger's-eye gem itself.
Its’ appearance reminds one of the stripes of the tiger. This caused Orientals to fear the tiger’s-eye and treat it with the highest regard.
The first documented evidence of tiger’s-eye date back to the late 1800’s, although some believe it has actually been in existence for centuries.
A material similar to tiger’s-eye found in small waterworn pebbles was first discovered in Namibia in 1962. This material has hardly caused a ripple in the market, for history has proven it to be inconsistent in supply.
A new variety similar to the material found in Namibia has recently surfaced from China. Consumers would be hard pressed to tell the two apart with the naked eye, but its’ differences are apparent to highly-trained jewelers and Gemologists when viewed through a microscope or a 10X loupe. Some experts believe this material will eventually become the latest chatoyant quartz to hit the retail market.
Roman soldiers wore tiger's-eye into battle with the belief that it would give them an advantage over their opponents.
It has also been thought to be a stone that unlocks the mind and clears the way for new plans and ideas.