With its golden bands that shimmer like a cat's eye, tiger's eye has been called the "all-seeing, all-knowing eye" by ancient civilizations. Roman soldiers wore this stone as a protective talisman, believing it granted courage and sharp perception in battle.
What is Tiger's Eye?
Tiger's eye is a variety of quartz with fibrous inclusions of crocidolite that create a silky, lustrous effect called chatoyancy (cat's eye effect). Its colours range from golden brown to reddish-brown with distinctive parallel bands, found primarily in South Africa, Australia, India, and the United States. Rating 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, it's durable enough for everyday wear. The stone forms when quartz gradually replaces crocidolite fibres, preserving their parallel structure. Red tiger's eye forms when the stone is gently heated, whilst blue tiger's eye (hawk's eye) occurs when the transformation is incomplete.
A Stone of Warriors and Rulers
Roman legionnaires carried tiger's eye into battle, engraving it with protective symbols and believing it would deflect weapons and curses. Ancient Egyptians used tiger's eye in the eyes of their deity statues, representing divine vision and all-seeing wisdom. Chinese culture associated it with good fortune and protection from evil, whilst African tribes used it in ceremonies to bring clarity and courage. During medieval times, Europeans believed tiger's eye could ward off curses and the evil eye.
Tiger's Eye's Qualities
Connected to the solar plexus and root chakras, tiger's eye is known for grounding energy whilst boosting confidence. It's sought after for:
- Building courage and self-confidence
- Enhancing focus and mental clarity
- Attracting prosperity and good luck
- Providing protection from negative energy
- Supporting practical decision-making
Its balanced, empowering energy appeals to those needing confidence, particularly when facing challenges or making important decisions about their future.