$25.00
Elegant 2-inch Tiger Eye leaf, hand-carved from genuine golden-brown Tiger Eye. This beautifully polished piece captures the stone’s signature chatoyancy — the shimmering “cat’s-eye” effect that moves across its surface in light. Symbolizing courage, clarity, and grounding, it makes a meaningful addition to any crystal collection or natural décor display.
In stock
This 2-inch Tiger Eye leaf is a hand-carved gemstone specimen made from natural Tiger Eye, a fibrous variety of chalcedony quartz (SiO₂) known for its chatoyant optical effect — a silky luster that reflects light in bands resembling a cat’s eye.
Tiger Eye forms through the pseudomorph replacement of crocidolite (blue asbestos) fibers by silica during quartz mineralization. As iron oxides infiltrate the structure, they replace the original fibers but retain the fibrous form, giving rise to the stone’s distinctive reflective stripes and golden tones.
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Mineral Type | Quartz variety (Chalcedony) |
| Chemical Formula | SiO₂ (Silicon Dioxide) |
| Crystal System | Trigonal |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 7 |
| Luster | Silky to vitreous |
| Transparency | Opaque to translucent |
| Color Range | Golden brown, honey, bronze, and black bands |
| Primary Inclusions | Crocidolite (fibrous asbestos replaced by quartz) |
| Major Localities | South Africa, Australia, India, USA |
Tiger Eye’s story begins with crocidolite, a blue asbestos mineral, forming in metamorphosed iron-rich quartz veins. Over millions of years, silica-rich groundwater replaced the fibrous crocidolite with quartz while retaining its fibrous structure — a geological process called pseudomorphism. Iron oxides such as hematite or goethite infused during this transition, giving Tiger Eye its golden-brown color and the light-reflecting bands known as chatoyancy.
This particular leaf carving emphasizes these bands, creating a natural “movement” of light that enhances the leaf’s organic shape.
Size: 2 inches long
Material: Natural Tiger Eye quartz
Shape: Hand-carved leaf
Finish: Polished smooth with silky luster
Coloration: Golden brown with chatoyant bands
Origin: South Africa or India (primary Tiger Eye sources)
Each carving showcases unique banding patterns and chatoyant flashes, making every piece one-of-a-kind.
Tiger Eye is a textbook example of pseudomorphic mineralization and optical phenomena in quartz. It illustrates how mineral replacement can preserve texture while transforming chemistry — a process that fascinates both geologists and lapidary artists.
Collectors value Tiger Eye carvings for their natural interplay of light and structure, representing a meeting of geological history and hand craftsmanship.
Decorative & Display: Beautiful as a standalone accent, gift, or addition to crystal grids and nature-themed décor.
Educational Value: Demonstrates optical chatoyancy and mineral pseudomorph formation.
Metaphysical:
Said to promote confidence, grounding, and insight.
Associated with the solar plexus chakra and courage under pressure.
Believed to balance emotional extremes and attract success.
Clean gently with a soft cloth and lukewarm water.
Avoid ultrasonic cleaners or harsh chemicals.
Store away from harder gemstones to prevent scratching.
Periodically polish with a jewelry cloth to maintain luster.
| Weight | 3 oz |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 2 × .25 × 2.25 in |
