I took over this e-zine when Gail, its originator was unable to continue it. With Gail's permission, I have added her original Rock's of the Week so that everyone can find the information readily. Please feel free to visit Gail's web site at http://www.davesrockshop.com

Tigereye


Scientific:
Tigereye is a quartz pseudomorph (replacement) after riebeckite. It is a minor gemstone and is not very valuable. However, because it is so desirable, it would be more valuable if it were not so abundant. The hawk's eye variety is more rare and therefore more expensive. Tigereye is light to dark brown with lustrous yellow to brown parallel fibrous inclusions. It is vitreous (hard, un-bendable, glasslike). It has strong chatoyancy (light reflection that moves when the stone is moved or seen from different angles). Its fibers are twisted or crumpled instead of straight and are a reminder of sand and sunlight.

Tigereye, hawk's eye, bull's eye quartz and cat's eye quartz only differ in their ground (background) colors and that of their mobile reflections. In this family of tigereye, when the ground color is greenish-gray or green, the gem is known as cat's eye quartz. If the ground is blue-gray or bluish, the gem is known as hawk's eye. A golden yellow reflection on a brown or black ground is known as tigereye. A stone with a mahogany color ground is called bull's eye or ox eye. Red tigereye is not natural; it is usually heated which oxidizes the iron and turns it red.


There is a huge difference in appearance between rough and polished tigereye. These gemstones are usually cut in a cabochon (cut curved on top with a flat bottom), which brings out the chatoyancy, the stones main characteristic. Cutting it into rounded shapes brings out this mobile reflection. When cut into larger objects this chatoyancy shows up in stripes.

Tigereye comes principally from South Africa. It comes in polished shapes because of government restrictions that forbid the export of raw materials. Raw (uncut) tigereye displays no chatoyancy. Tigereye is also found in Australia, Burma, Namibia and California in the USA.


Because of its chatoyancy, tigereye should not be cleaned with alcohol or abrasives. "Goo Gone", or other oils are good for this stone. 

Variety of: Quartz
Hardness: 6.5 - 7
Chemical Composition: NaFe(SiO3)2 Sodium and iron with silicon dioxide (quartz)

History: 
Tigereye made its gemstone debut sometime in the late 19th century. Interestingly, it fetched several dollars per carat back then. A 1932 German book on gemstones (Bauer and Schlossmacher, 1932, 674) states that in about 1880, tigereye sold for 25 to 39 Marks per carat, or between $6.25 and $7.50 per carat - at a time when western American miners usually fought in vain to earn $3.50 for a hard, dangerous, 10-hour day underground in rich gold and silver mines. 

The word "Tigereye" is currently preferred by Americans and "Tiger's-eye" by people or other English speaking countries (as Anglophiles might say). In the past, American publications have used a hyphen in both tiger-eye and tiger's-eye; the South African government refers to it as the latter. An earlier but now discarded term, griqualandite, has also been used as a synonym for tigereye. 
- from http://www.lapidaryjournal.com


Myth:
Traditionally, tigereye has been favored as a gift between lovers. It is said to ease sexual tension and help partners tune in to each other in a psychic or telepathic way. 


Metaphysical:
Tigereye is very dramatic. We are often drawn to the rich golden glow of this wonderful stone. Its tactile qualities speak to the sense of touch. Every one wants to feel this stone as though it might be giving comfort through it's cool smoothness that seems in strange contrast to its warm appearance.

A gift of tigereye is thought to ensure a couple's steadfastness and loyalty to one another. Wearing tigereye helps one become an effective helpmate. It pulls one into a more positive and flexible attitude and is especially effective for those who are somewhat stubborn.

Tigereye connects the energy of the rich browns of the earth to the golden energy of the sun or divine light. It seems to enhance the earth personality in those that are attracted to it. (Earth or brown personalities are the very models of reliability and solidarity. They are like the salt of the earth, down to earth, safe. They show a great deal of plain common sense, stability, practicality and peacefulness. They are discrete, grounded and have strong sexual and emotional discipline.)

Tigereye is the stone of wealth and prosperity. Tigereye carried or worn with malachite is said to insure success in all business ventures.
   




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