The facts
What tiger’s eye actually is
The species behind tiger’s eye is quartz after crocidolite, SiO₂; it forms in the trigonal (fibrous) system.
Iron oxide replacing asbestiform amphibole is responsible for the colour — and the chromophore, not the name, is what decides whether a colour is stable.
On the instruments it reads a refractive index of 1.534–1.540 and a specific gravity of about 2.64–2.71, with none cleavage.
Where tiger’s eye comes from
Commercial material comes from Northern Cape, South Africa, Western Australia and India.
Different localities give different colour and different clarity, and the trade prices them differently. We state which one.
How tiger’s eye is treated
Bleaching and heating produce the red and honey variants. Dyed blue is sold as "hawk’s eye".
We state the treatment on every stone, including when the honest answer is that it cannot be determined. A treatment disclosed is a fact; a treatment discovered later is a refund.
What tiger’s eye is confused with
Watch for Pietersite, Dyed quartzite and Glass — these are what turn up sold under this name.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.534–1.540 and specific gravity 2.64–2.71 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What tiger’s eye is used for
The trades that buy tiger’s eye are jewellery, watch dials, decorative objects and architecture and interiors. They do not want the same thing, and they do not pay in the same unit.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the carat, by the disc or by the piece.
Durability and care
Tiger’s eye is 6.5–7 on the Mohs scale, with none cleavage.
With no cleavage plane to worry about, the practical limit is abrasion rather than breakage, and it takes daily wear well.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What tiger’s eye costs
Expect roughly $1–20/ct, depending on quality.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is tiger’s eye treated, and how?
Bleaching and heating produce the red and honey variants. Dyed blue is sold as "hawk’s eye".
Where does tiger’s eye come from?
Northern Cape, South Africa, Western Australia and India. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is tiger’s eye hard enough to wear every day?
Yes. At 6.5–7 on the Mohs scale with no cleavage plane, it handles daily wear well. The practical limit is gradual abrasion rather than chipping.
How much does tiger’s eye cost?
Indicatively $1–20/ct. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is tiger’s eye confused with?
Most often Pietersite, Dyed quartzite and Glass. A refractive index of 1.534–1.540 and a specific gravity near 2.64–2.71 separate it quickly.
What is tiger’s eye used for besides jewellery?
watch dials, decorative objects and architecture and interiors. Each of those trades buys it in a different form and a different unit.
Related stones
Looking for tiger’s eye?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about tiger’s eye