About Tigers Eye
Tiger Eye: A Stone of Transformation—Literally
Tiger eye isn’t just visually stunning—it’s a geological shapeshifter. This golden, silky gemstone starts out as asbestos—specifically the fibrous mineral crocidolite—and over time, becomes a pseudomorph. That means one mineral is replaced by another without losing its original structure.
In tiger eye’s case, the crocidolite fibers get slowly replaced by quartz, molecule by molecule, while still preserving that fine, fibrous texture. The result? A durable, chatoyant quartz stone that catches light in a way few others do.
That signature shimmer—called chatoyancy—comes from the trapped, aligned fibers of what was once asbestos. The quartz brings hardness and stability, making tiger eye an ideal stone for jewelry that lasts.
From Precious to Plentiful
In the 1870s, tiger eye was rare enough to sell for half an ounce of gold per carat. Today, it's far more accessible thanks to major deposits discovered in South Africa and Western Australia—but the process that creates it remains just as rare and extraordinary.
Varieties of Tiger Eye
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Golden Tiger Eye – The classic golden-brown variety with rich bands of chatoyancy
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Hawk’s Eye (Blue Tiger Eye) – Formed at cooler temperatures, retains more of the original crocidolite blue
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Marra Mamba – A highly sought-after tiger eye from Australia, known for its intense color and rare patterns
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Tiger Iron – A natural blend of tiger eye, hematite, and red jasper—layered like Earth's own sandwich
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Pietersite – A chaotic, brecciated version from Namibia or China, often called “storm tiger eye” for its swirling energy
Whether you love it for the way it moves in the light or for the way it tells a deep-time story of transformation, tiger eye is more than just pretty. It’s resilient, complex, and alive with geologic history.
🐯 Shop all our Tiger Eye and find the form that speaks to you.
