Tiger's Eye

What is Tiger's Eye?

Tiger's Eye belongs to the Quartz family and consists almost entirely of silicon dioxide (SiO2). Her silky sheen, called chatoyancy, arises because countless parallel fibers reflect the light back in a single narrow band. Those fibers are the remains of crocidolite, a blue fibrous mineral that was replaced by Quartz over millions of years while the direction of the fibers was preserved. During that process the iron in the fibers oxidized, and it is precisely that iron that gives Tiger's Eye her honey yellow to golden brown color. With a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, she is sturdy enough for jewelry and daily use. The stone grows in iron rich rock layers, with South Africa as the main source.

Meaning and History of Tiger's Eye

The name is a literal description, because the band of light slides across the stone the way light gleams in the pupil of a cat or a tiger. Roman soldiers are said to have carried Tiger's Eye as an amulet in their gear, believing that the stone gave them courage and turned weapons away from them. In ancient Egypt, Tiger's Eye was set into the eyes of deity statues, as an image of a gaze that sees everything and watches over you. In Chinese stories the tiger is known as a guardian who keeps evil at a distance, which is how the stone found its way into amulets there as well. What all these traditions share is the idea of watchfulness. Today Tiger's Eye stands above all for courage, protection and the calm to follow your own course.

Physical Properties Tiger's Eye

Tiger's Eye is often chosen by people who are looking for more steadiness in their body. On an energetic level the stone is associated with drive and vitality, and it can offer support at moments when your energy is scattered across too many things at once. Many people experience Tiger's Eye as a stone that literally makes you stand taller, as if some backbone returns to your posture. Her warm, grounding energy is linked to a sense of inner firmness, which makes it easier to get moving. If you hold her in your hand or wear her close to the body, many people notice that they move through the day feeling more alert and more rooted. In this way Tiger's Eye can offer support in recovering your natural resilience and rhythm.

Please note: gemstones can offer support on an emotional and energetic level, but are never a substitute for medical or professional care. If you have any complaints or concerns, always consult your physician.

Tiger's Eye and Self-Confidence

Self-confidence is the theme Tiger's Eye is chosen for most often. Her strength lies in a warm, activating energy that encourages you to make your own choices and to speak them out loud as well. If you quickly feel small in company or just before an important moment, wear a bracelet or pendant, so that support travels with you all day. Put a tumbled stone in your pocket before a job interview or a presentation and take hold of it the moment doubt creeps in. A larger raw stone on your desk works differently, because it reminds you every morning that you have more in you than you think. Turn it into a small ritual by holding the stone, breathing out calmly and naming in your mind what you dare to do today. In this way you build a firmer sense of self-worth step by step.

Spiritual Properties

Spiritually, Tiger's Eye is known as a stone of protection and inner perspective. She is seen as a shield that screens off your own energy, so that you are less easily swept along by the moods and expectations of others. Anyone who is sensitive to the bustle around them can find a stabilizing ally in Tiger's Eye. The stone is also associated with clarity of mind, since she is said to help you look at a situation from a distance and see the core of a problem instead of getting stuck in worry. That is why Tiger's Eye is beloved among people facing a choice or briefly losing their direction. Where many soft stones mainly comfort, this stone urges you on. She brings a healthy dose of willpower and invites you to take responsibility for your own life. At the same time she works in a grounding way, so that this drive does not turn into restlessness but is carried by a firm foundation. In this way Tiger's Eye creates balance between action and reflection, between stepping outward and staying with yourself.

How to Use Tiger's Eye?

• Wear Tiger's Eye as jewelry, for example one of our Tiger's Eye Bracelets or Tiger's Eye Pendants, so her protective energy travels with you all day.
• Place one of our Tiger's Eye Stones in the living room or on your workspace, for a stable and focused atmosphere at home.
• Hold a tumbled stone in your hand during meditation and bring your attention to your lower belly, where your willpower resides.
• Put a small Tiger's Eye in your pocket or bag as quiet support during tense moments, such as an exam or a difficult conversation.

Types and Varieties of Tiger's Eye

• Red Tiger Eye: a warm, reddish brown variety that kindles extra drive and zest for life. The red tone comes from heating, which oxidizes the iron further.
• Hawk's Eye: the blue gray variety, in which the crocidolite fibers have not yet fully oxidized. This stone is linked to perspective and clear observation.
• Pietersite: a swirling blend of Tiger's Eye and Hawk's Eye with a dramatic sheen, loved for its dynamic, liberating character.
• Tiger Iron: a layered rock of Tiger's Eye, Red Jasper and Hematite that brings together grounding, strength and stamina.

Beautiful Gemstone Combinations

Citrine

Citrine strengthens the sunny, self-assured side of Tiger's Eye. Where Tiger's Eye kindles your willpower and courage, Citrine adds optimism and a feeling of abundance. Together they form a strong duo for the Solar Plexus Chakra, helping you take action in a focused and confident way.

Black Tourmaline

Black Tourmaline connects to the protective and grounding side of Tiger's Eye. While Tiger's Eye feeds your self-confidence, Black Tourmaline screens off negative influences and keeps you firmly anchored. This combination suits anyone who quickly feels overstimulated and needs a safe feeling.

Rose Quartz

Rose Quartz brings softness into the fiery energy of Tiger's Eye. Where Tiger's Eye urges you toward action, Rose Quartz opens the heart and invites gentleness toward yourself. That is valuable precisely while you are building confidence, because you judge your own steps less harshly.

Recognizing Genuine Tiger's Eye

Tiger's Eye is imitated regularly, usually with glass fiber sold as cat's eye glass. A few simple checks will tell you the difference. First look at the band of light, because in genuine Tiger's Eye the silky sheen moves along with the light in a lively, slightly wavy band, while imitation glass often shows one ruler straight, overly sharp line. Then pay attention to the color, since natural Tiger's Eye has warm, golden brown to reddish brown tones with subtle transitions. Bright green, bright blue or vivid pink pieces are usually dyed or made of glass. Temperature helps too, because real crystal feels cool and warms up slowly in your hand, while glass feels lukewarm more quickly. Finally, weigh the stone in your hand, since glass is generally lighter than natural stone. At Kristalmeester we only sell natural Tiger's Eye. We take all photos ourselves and you will receive exactly the product shown in the photo.

Properties

• Hardness: 6.5 to 7 (Mohs scale)
• Density: 2.64 to 2.71 g/cm³
• Composition: SiO2, with fiber remains of crocidolite
• Crystal structure: trigonal
• Color: honey yellow to golden brown with a silky sheen, as well as reddish brown and blue gray

Locations

• South Africa
• Namibia
• Australia
• Brazil
• China
• India
• United States

Zodiac Signs

Leo

Leo resonates strongly with the sunny, self-assured energy of Tiger's Eye. The stone strengthens this sign's natural radiance and helps Leo to lead from sincere strength. At the same time, Tiger's Eye can temper the need for approval and keep Leo closer to their own core.

Capricorn

Capricorn finds in Tiger's Eye an ally for willpower and discipline. The stone supports this sign's goal-oriented nature and helps to keep going with plans that need a long breath. In this way Capricorn can persevere without pushing themselves too far.

Aries

Aries recognizes itself in the brave, decisive side of Tiger's Eye. The stone feeds the natural drive of this fiery sign and helps to turn impulses into focused action. Tiger's Eye works in a grounding way here, so the enthusiasm does not fade too quickly.

Chakras

Solar Plexus Chakra

The Solar Plexus Chakra is the energy center that Tiger's Eye resonates with most strongly. This Chakra stands for self-worth, willpower and personal strength. Tiger's Eye can help to bring this center into balance, so that you dare to follow your own course with confidence.

Sacral Chakra

The Sacral Chakra is connected to creativity, passion and zest for life. The warm energy of Tiger's Eye can kindle this Chakra and bring you back into contact with your joy and your drive. As a result, your natural decisiveness gets going more easily.

Root Chakra

The Root Chakra revolves around grounding, safety and standing firm. Tiger's Eye can support this Chakra by giving a feeling of protection and something to hold on to. In this way you stay with both feet on the ground, even when things get tense.

Care

With a hardness of 6.5 to 7, Tiger's Eye is a sturdy stone that asks little of you in daily use. You can rinse her briefly under lukewarm running water, because her dense structure handles that well. Do not let her soak for hours afterward, since the stone contains iron oxide and prolonged moisture can dull the sheen. So pat her dry right away with a soft cloth. If you want to cleanse Tiger's Eye energetically, pass her through the smoke of Sage or Palo Santo, or let her rest overnight on a bed of Hematite Chips to cleanse her. To charge her, place Tiger's Eye on a dish of Rock Crystal Chips, or let her lie overnight in the moonlight. Brief daylight does no harm, but do not leave the stone in bright sunlight for hours, because the warm color can shift slightly over time. For that reason it is best to store her in a cool place out of direct light.

More information about the cleansing and charging of gemstones can be found in our blog "The cleansing and charging of gemstones".

Frequently Asked Questions about Tiger's Eye

What does Tiger's Eye mean?

The name refers to the resemblance to the eye of a tiger, through the band of light that glides across the stone. Today Tiger's Eye mainly symbolizes courage, protection and self-confidence.

Can Tiger's Eye get wet?

Yes, a brief rinse under lukewarm running water is fine, since the stone handles that well with her hardness. Do not let her soak for hours and pat her dry right away, so the silky sheen stays beautiful.

Can Tiger's Eye be placed in sunlight?

Brief daylight is no problem, but avoid hours of bright sunlight, because the warm color can shift slightly over time. Charge the stone in moonlight or on Rock Crystal Chips instead.

Which Chakra is associated with Tiger's Eye?

Tiger's Eye resonates most strongly with the Solar Plexus Chakra, the center of willpower and self-worth. She is also linked to the Sacral Chakra and the Root Chakra.

Where is the best place to put Tiger's Eye?

Wear Tiger's Eye close to the body or keep her at hand at moments when you are looking for courage and focus. Her activating, protective energy also comes into its own on your desk or workspace.

Summary

Tiger's Eye is a golden brown variety of Quartz that owes her gleaming band of light to fibers of crocidolite. Since antiquity she has been regarded as a protective stone, worn by Roman soldiers as an amulet and set into the eyes of Egyptian deity statues. Today Tiger's Eye is chosen above all by people who want to strengthen their self-confidence and make choices with more courage. Spiritually she offers protection and clear perspective, while physically she is associated with drive and resilience. She resonates with the Solar Plexus Chakra, the Sacral Chakra and the Root Chakra, and suits Leo, Capricorn and Aries. Rinse her briefly under lukewarm water, charge her in moonlight and keep her out of prolonged bright sunlight.

If you have any questions about Tiger's Eye, please do not hesitate to contact Kristalmeester. We are happy to help.