Tiger's Eye
True to its name, tiger's eye is a gemstone characterized by its golden striped pattern and streaks of light, reminiscent of a tiger's eye. Due to chatoyancy (the cat's eye effect), the beautiful line of light shifts depending on the viewing angle. It is affordable, widely available, and highly popular as a power stone.
Tiger's eye with a shimmering golden light
Basic Information
| Chemical Formula | Na₂Fe²⁺₃Fe³⁺₂[OH|Si₄O₁₁]₂ |
|---|---|
| Crystal System | Monoclinic (fibrous structure) |
| Hardness | 6.5–7 (Mohs scale) |
| Specific Gravity | 2.65 |
Features
- Exhibits chatoyancy (cat's eye effect).
- Formed by the silicification of riebeckite.
- Mainly produced in Griqualand, South Africa.
- Relatively affordable and popular as a power stone.
Trivia: Heat-treating tiger's eye can result in a reddish variety known as "Red Tiger's Eye."