Round tiger's eye cabochon, 16 mm in diameter, with a flat back. The golden silky chatoyancy is visible from any angle when rotating the piece, making the circular format an especially expressive choice for 925 silver pendants and middle or index finger rings.
Piece Details
| Mineral |
Tiger's Eye (fibrous quartz, crocidolite pseudomorph) |
| Dimensions |
Approximately 16 mm in diameter. ±0.5 mm variation due to being hand-cut. |
| Shape and Back |
Round, flat polished back |
| Finish |
Mirror polish |
| Hardness |
6.5–7 Mohs — suitable for rings and daily wear |
| Origin |
South Africa (Northern Cape Province) |
| Treatment |
Untreated. Color and chatoyancy are natural |
| Piece Type |
Available loose (1 piece) or in a lot of 5 pieces |
This Specific Piece
In a round format, the chatoyancy of tiger's eye takes on a different character from that of an oval: the luminous band travels across the stone in a semicircle as it is rotated, which some jewelers describe as "the moving eye." At 16 mm in diameter, the piece occupies the space of a euro coin — large for a middle finger ring, compact for a solitary pendant.
How Chatoyancy Forms in Tiger's Eye
See the description for the 14×10 mm oval cabochon for the full explanation of the crocidolite→quartz pseudomorphism process. In the round format, the jeweler must orient the stone when setting it so that the chatoyance band is horizontally centered on the dome, perpendicular to the chatoyance axis.
What Mountings It Works For
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Round pendant with silver setting — a 16 mm round cabochon in a pendant is versatile: it hangs centered, the chatoyancy activates with natural body movement, and the circular format harmonizes with any neckline.
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Middle or index finger ring — at 16 mm in diameter, the cabochon dominates the finger's surface. We recommend a low-profile setting so that the chatoyancy is visible.
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Wire wrap on an oval or circular base — in wire wrap, rounds are easy to wrap due to the symmetry of their silhouette.
Tiger's Eye in History
We use tiger's eye as a stone with documented history in Eastern Mediterranean and Asian cultures. Romans wore it engraved with the imperial eagle on wax seals.
In crystal tradition, tiger's eye (determination and long-term vision) is one of the most sought-after stones by jewelers who work with male clients or in strong unisex jewelry.
The symbolic properties attributed to minerals belong to cultural and historical traditions. They are shared for educational purposes, not as medical advice or a substitute for professional care.
How to Recognize Genuine Tiger's Eye
See the description for the 14×10 mm oval cabochon for authenticity criteria. Specifically for the round: in the circular format, glass imitations usually show the silky luster distributed over the entire surface instead of being concentrated in a narrow, movable band.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the chatoyancy the same in all the round pieces in the lot of 5?
Each piece varies slightly in intensity and tonal range. Chatoyancy is a natural phenomenon determined by the density and alignment of amphibole fibers in each area of the original material, which is not uniform on a centimeter scale.
How high is the chatoyancy if I mount the cabochon in a ring?
The chatoyancy is at the highest point of the cabochon (the equator of the dome) when light strikes the surface at 90°. For a ring, we recommend orienting the piece before setting so that the band is parallel to the fingers, maximizing visibility from the front.
Is 16 mm large for a ring?
For a middle or ring finger, it is a visible but not exaggerated statement size. On the index or pinky finger, it can be large.
More tiger's eye: properties and uses. See also: all our cabochons · handmade rings.
