Tiger's Eye

Tiger’s Eye, a variety of chalcedony and a member of the quartz family, is a remarkably dull stone in its natural state. In polished form, however, it displays a beautiful, silky luster when it is held up to light, called chatoyancy (a word stemming from French, meaning cat’s eye). Chatoyancy occurs when light is reflected from tiny fibers, ridges or bands found within a transparent material such as this stone. For about 125 years, scientists believed that Tiger’s Eye was a pseudomorphic rock (formed when crystals of one material replace another one atom at a time – the word “pseudomorph” comes from the Greek for “false form”). However, just recently scientists from Penn State discovered that this stone is actually formed when quartz and crocidolite crystals simultaneously condense from hot, mineral-rich fluids coursing through a tiny crack in a rock and grow to fill it. Tiger’s eye is a brown quartz silicon dioxide “striped” with yellowish and brown fibers. Its golden color comes from iron oxides present in the stone. Similar stones from the same mineral family include cat’s eye (when the stone is greenish grey), hawk’s eye (when the stone is blue/grey or blue), and bull’s eye or ox-eye (when the stone is a dark brown to reddish color). Tiger’s Eye is primarily produced in South Africa, Western Australia, India, Burma, Sri Lanka, Namibia, USA, Canada and Brazil.

Tiger’s Eye, the planetary stone for Gemini, and astrological stone for Capricorn, is thought by some to protect the wearer, increase his or her self-confidence, and enhance personal power. Tiger’s Eye helps a person focus mentally and become more aware of danger enabling them to take precautions to protect themselves. It is also believed to protect travelers, help the wearer overcome difficult challenges, and focus on completing plans regardless of any obstacles that may arise. For this and other reasons, Roman soldiers often wore Tiger’s Eye to protect them during battle. They believed it kept them from getting distracted and from giving in to their fear. Still others believe Tiger’s Eye brings prosperity and financial success. Those who believe stones have healing properties use Tiger’s Eye to relieve psoriasis, high blood pressure, asthma, heart disease, and other ailments. Crystal healers use Tiger Eye to strengthen bones, aid digestion and cure ulcers, and in healing problems with the eye. It is said to increase night vision. Tiger Eye is also known as the Stone of Perception. Its constantly changing appearance reminds us that life is always changing, and the stone helps the wearer to accept change and new directions in life.

The genuine Tiger’s Eye in Charisma Bolivia jewelry is imported into Bolivia from mines in the neighboring country of Brazil.

Charisma Bolivia jewelry is handcrafted by artisans in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. I then bring our collections back to the U.S.A. where I place them in our online store. All orders are mailed worldwide from California. I invite you to watch the slideshow below.