Tumbled tiger's eye in its classic golden variety, with the characteristic mobile reflection (chatoyancy) that distinguishes the mineral. Sizes between 20×12 mm for the smallest piece and 37×18 mm for the largest. Origin: South Africa, a world-renowned deposit. Each tumbled stone is individually selected from the lot.
Material Data Sheet
| Mineral |
Tiger's eye (quartz with fibrous inclusions of oxidized crocidolite) |
| Color |
Intense gold with dark brown veins and silky mobile reflection when the piece is rotated |
| Size |
Between 20×12 mm and 37×18 mm, depending on selection |
| Shape |
Tumbled; smoothly rounded surface |
| Finish |
Smooth polished characteristic of tumbled stone, without edges |
| Hardness |
6.5-7 Mohs — suitable for daily use as a pocket stone, frequent handling, and wire-wrapped jewelry |
| Origin |
South Africa (Northern Cape province) — classic documented tiger's eye deposit |
| Treatment |
Untreated. The golden tone comes from the natural oxidation of the original crocidolite; no detectable chemical treatments |
| Piece type |
Unique shape and veins in each tumbled stone; shipped by intuitive selection within the size range |
How the chatoyancy effect is formed
The mobile luster of tiger's eye is due to the fibrous inclusions of crocidolite (an amphibole asbestos) that quartz encapsulated during its geological formation. When these fibers are oriented parallel to each other and the piece is cut or polished with the axis perpendicular to the fibrous direction, light reflects in narrow bands that appear to shift when the stone is rotated. It is the same optical phenomenon that produces cat's eye in other minerals, but on a larger scale and with the characteristic golden tone of oxidized iron.
What this format is suitable for
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Wire wrapping — the 6.5-7 Mohs hardness accommodates medium gauges (0.8-1 mm) without risk of marking the polished surface; elongated formats (37×18 mm) are most suitable as a central piece in pendants
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Macrame — the smooth tumbled finish can be tied directly without the need for a cap; the average weight (approximately 8-25 g per piece) works well in waxed thread bracelets and necklaces
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Pocket stone — the ergonomic shape and high hardness make tiger's eye one of the most resistant tumbled stones for daily wear; it withstands rubbing against keys and coins without scratching
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Collecting and decorative compositions — chatoyancy is best appreciated on a dark tray with spot lighting; ideal for mineralogy displays or zen compositions on sand
Tiger's Eye in Cultural Tradition
Tiger's eye has historically been associated with attentive observation and personal presence: in classical Rome, soldiers wore amulets of the mineral before military campaigns because of its visual resemblance to the feline's iris. In Egyptian tradition, it was used in funerary depictions of Ra as a solar mineral, linked to the golden disk. Modern mentions in crystal therapy associate it with the solar plexus and personal grounding, extending the ancient cultural interpretation.
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
Authentic tiger's eye shows the mobile reflection of chatoyancy: when the piece is tilted under a point light source, a bright band moves perpendicular to the direction of the crocidolite fibers. Glass imitations "cat's eye" (synthetic fibrous glass) present a uniform and flat luster, without displacement; under a 10× magnifying glass, the internal parallel fibers of natural tiger's eye can be seen, which are absent in glass. The golden tone of the genuine specimen has subtle gradients from brown to honey; dyed ones tend to a uniform and flat golden color.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all pieces have the same degree of chatoyancy?
No. The intensity of the mobile reflection depends on the orientation of the crocidolite fibers in each tumbled stone. In this selection, all pieces show visible chatoyancy under direct light, but some present sharper bands than others depending on the original cut.
What is the approximate weight of each tumbled stone?
Between 8 and 25 grams depending on the size. Small pieces (20×12 mm) weigh around 8-12 g; large ones (37×18 mm) reach up to 25 g. For macrame or pocket stone, both ranges work; for a main pendant with wire wrap, medium and large pieces are more visible.
Is it suitable for daily wear jewelry?
Yes. The 6.5-7 Mohs hardness is the same as macrocrystalline quartz and withstands daily rubbing without scratching under normal conditions. For rings, we prefer cabochon formats with bezel settings; tumbled stones work best in pendants and bracelets where the rounded surface is part of the visual appeal.
What is the exact origin?
South Africa, Northern Cape province, where the classic documented tiger's eye deposit is concentrated. It is the majority origin of commercial material worldwide and offers the most defined chatoyancy.
How to care for it?
Clean with a soft cloth slightly dampened with water. Avoid aggressive chemical products and prolonged exposure to intense direct sunlight, which can lighten the golden tone over the years. More in the jewelry care guide.
Can I choose a specific tumbled stone?
The selection is made intuitively within the size range. If you need a specific format (minimum or maximum of the range) for a particular project, indicate it in the order notes and we will take it into account when preparing the shipment.
More about tiger's eye: properties, meaning and uses. See also: all tumbled stones · meditation stones.
