Gemstone Deep Dive: Striking Tiger’s Eye – And Our Beautiful Tiger’s Eye Beads!

With its captivating shimmer and earthy glow, Tiger’s Eye has long held a special place in the world of gemstone beads. Its chatoyant bands of gold, brown, and even blue seem to dance with the light, adding a dynamic energy to any design. Whether you're a jewellery artisan, spiritual healer, or collector, understanding the different types of Tiger’s Eye beads—natural and treated—helps you choose the perfect strand for your creations or shop inventory.

Quick Info About Tiger’s Eye

• Birthstone Month: Not traditional, but often linked to June and November
• Chakras: Solar Plexus (primary), Root & Sacral Chakras
• Zodiac Signs: Leo, Capricorn
• Element: Fire & Earth
• Planetary Ruler: Sun (primary), Mars

Metaphysical Meanings

Tiger’s Eye is revered for its grounding, motivating energy. Commonly used in spiritual practices, it is believed to:

• Encourage confidence, courage, and personal power
• Help balance emotions and reduce anxiety
• Promote grounding, stability, and mental focus
• Aid in making clear decisions and taking decisive action

Gemstone Affirmations

• Strength flows through every decision and action.
• Fear transforms into clarity and courage.
• Calm confidence anchors the mind and body.

What Makes Tiger’s Eye So Unique?

Tiger’s Eye gets its signature shimmer—chatoyancy—from parallel, fibrous inclusions that reflect light in a silky band. These fibres originated from crocidolite, a type of blue asbestos, which was later replaced by quartz while preserving the original structure. Colour variations come from the oxidation of iron, producing different natural forms—plus some striking man-made enhancements you’ll want to know about.

Natural Varieties of Tiger’s Eye Beads

1. Golden Tiger’s Eye (Classic)
   This is the most recognizable and widely available form, featuring golden to reddish-brown bands and rich lustre. The colour forms from oxidized iron (Fe³⁺) during the replacement of crocidolite by quartz.
   
   
   
   
2. Blue Tiger’s Eye (Hawk’s Eye)
   Also known as Falcon’s Eye, this darker blue-to-steel-grey variety is formed before oxidation occurs. The iron remains in its ferrous form (Fe²⁺), giving the stone its cool, deep colour.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Tiger Iron
   Tiger Iron is a natural composite of golden Tiger’s Eye, red jasper, and hematite. It features dramatic, swirling layers of metallic and earthy tones, making it popular for bold jewellery pieces.
   
   
   

Treated and Dyed Tiger’s Eye: What You Should Know

In today’s market, not all colourful Tiger’s Eye beads are natural. Some are heat-treated or dyed to achieve more vivid or unusual colours:

• Red Tiger’s Eye: Usually heat-treated golden Tiger’s Eye, enhancing the reddish-brown hues. Considered semi-natural since the colour is intensified but not fully artificial.
• Blue Tiger’s Eye (Dyed): While natural Hawk’s Eye exists, some golden Tiger’s Eye beads are dyed deep blue or navy to mimic the effect, often appearing more vibrant than the natural variety.
• Pink, Green, or Purple Tiger’s Eye: These vibrant colours do not occur naturally and are typically the result of synthetic dyeing. Though visually striking, dyed beads lack the same geological or metaphysical authenticity.
• Fancy Tiger’s Eye Beads: Beads with enhanced chatoyancy or unusual colour patterns (often called “fancy” tiger’s eye) are frequently treated or heat-enhanced to boost their shimmer and colour intensity.

Dyed Tiger's Eye Beads in assorted colours.

Dyed Pink Tiger's Eye Beads

Fancy Tiger's Eye Beads (heat treated)

If you sell or work with dyed or treated beads, it’s important to clearly label them for your customers so they know exactly what they’re getting.

Pro Tip: If you're selling dyed stones, transparency matters—clearly label them to help your customers make informed choices.

Metaphysical Properties: Natural vs. Treated

In crystal healing and spiritual work, natural stones are believed to retain more potent energies. Tiger’s Eye in its pure form is especially valued for:

• Protection
• Grounding energy
• Courage and mental clarity

Treated and dyed beads still offer beauty and boldness—perfect for trend-forward or fashion-focused designs—but may be considered more decorative in energy-based practices.

Final Thoughts: Beauty Meets Authenticity

From natural golden hues to bold Tiger Iron and vivid dyed colours, Tiger’s Eye beads offer something for every style and intention. For those seeking true gemstone energy, our natural beads provide the authenticity and metaphysical depth you can trust.

Ready to bring the power of Tiger's Eye into your creations? Dive deeper into crafting beautiful pieces with our guide on Designing with Tiger’s Eye: Perfect Pairings for Jewellery Makers.

We Supply Wholesale Gemstone Beads!

Looking to buy in bulk? We offer competitive wholesale options too. Visit our dedicated wholesale website at trade.orientaldirect.co.uk.

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We’d love to see how you use our beads—tag us in your creations!