Tiger Eye is celebrated for its mesmerizing appearance and historical significance, embodying mystery and ancient power.
Recognizing its unique appeal and the connection people feel with nature, we introduced tiger eye moss amigo into our collection. But let's find out why we chose to mix Tiger Eye with the moss ball idea, making it even more special.
Fact #1: Geological Formation of the Tiger Eye
Tiger Eye's journey begins deep within the Earth, where specific conditions transform crocidolite, a blue asbestos, into quartz while retaining its fibrous structure.
This process, known as pseudomorphosis, results in the unique, parallel bands and the mesmerizing, silky luster characteristic of Tiger Eye. The primary deposits of this gemstone are found in South Africa's Northern Cape Province and Western Australia, areas rich in the geological diversity necessary for its formation.
Fact #2: Tiger Eye in History
Tiger Eye's historical significance spans continents and eras. The ancient Egyptians crafted it into eyes for their deity statues, believing it provided divine vision and protection. Roman soldiers carried it to deflect weapons and bring bravery to battle.
In Eastern cultures, it was used to balance yin and yang and encourage calmness. These historical uses highlight its enduring appeal across different civilizations, underscoring its global reverence and the myriad beliefs in its protective and empowering properties.
Fact #3: The Science Behind Tiger Eye's Shine
The phenomenon giving Tiger Eye its captivating shine is chatoyancy, derived from the French "œil de chat," meaning "cat's eye." This optical effect occurs when light reflects off the parallel fibrous bands within the stone—bands that were once asbestos fibers but have since been replaced by quartz.
The reflection is so precise that it creates a moving, luminous streak as the stone is turned, resembling the slit eye of a cat. This effect is not just visually striking; it directly results from the stone's unique internal fibrous structure and interaction with light.
Fact #4: Colors of Tiger Eye
The diversity in Tiger Eye's color palette is due to the varying oxidation levels of the iron within the quartz. Initially, all Tiger Eye starts with a golden-yellow hue.
However, when exposed to heat, either naturally or artificially, the iron oxidizes further, deepening the color. This process can produce the rich reds of what's known as bull's eye or the deep blues of hawk's eye, which are the result of less oxidation and the preservation of some of the original blue color of crocidolite.
The color variation not only adds to the stone's beauty but also to its appeal across different tastes and preferences.
Fact #5: Symbolism and Uses Across Cultures
Beyond its physical appearance, Tiger Eye is steeped in symbolism and utility. It has been revered in various cultures for its supposed powers to grant the wearer insight, focus, and connection to one's inner wisdom. It's also thought to offer protection against negativity and foster courage.
These beliefs, while varying from one culture to another, underline the stone's symbolic significance in promoting mental clarity, personal empowerment, and protection. Its use in jewelry, amulets, and even in meditation practices today continues to be influenced by these ancient symbolic associations.
Fact #6: Physical and Chemical Properties
Tiger Eye is a silicon dioxide mineral that exhibits a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, indicating a good level of durability for various uses. Its distinctive appearance results from its fibrous structure and the presence of iron and other trace minerals. These components contribute to its color variations, density, and refractive properties, making each piece of Tiger Eye unique in appearance and feel.
Fact #7: The Rarity and Distribution of Tiger Eye
While Tiger Eye is not considered one of the rarest gemstones, its unique beauty and the specific conditions required for its formation give it a special place in the gemstone world.
The largest and most notable deposits are found in South Africa and Australia, though smaller deposits exist in other parts of the world, including the USA, Canada, India, and Namibia.
The mining of Tiger Eye is subject to the same fluctuations and challenges as other gemstones, including accessibility, environmental regulations, and market demand, all of which can influence its availability and value.
Explore Our Tiger Eye Moss Amigo Collection
Check out our Tiger Eye Moss Amigo Collection: Moss ball with Tiger Eye stones, ideal for a natural, calm vibe anywhere.
The Classic Chico Amigo combined with Tiger Eye brings a peaceful vibe to any desk or shelf, ideal for a focused work or study environment.
>>Discover it here<<
The Moss Rico features a standout Tiger Eye stone, enhancing any room's unique look and relaxing atmosphere.
>>Discover it here<<
The smallest option, the Classic Moss Nino, incorporates Tiger Eye to sprinkle a bit of peace and charm into compact spaces.
>>Discover it here<<
Opt for our Tiger Eye Stone if you're after a straightforward, calming presence in your decor or for use in personal reflection, favored by collectors and those seeking a positive ambiance.
>>Discover it here<<
Conclusion
As we've learned, Tiger Eye is pretty special, with cool facts from its Earth history to its use in jewelry. We added "tiger eye moss amigo" because it mixes Tiger Eye's cool vibe with a natural, calming feel. This mix is our way of bringing a bit of nature's magic and Tiger Eye's cool story into your space.
Want to know more about moss balls? Read our blog post to learn all about them and see how they go great with Tiger Eye.
References:
Wikipedia contributors. (2023, December 20). Pseudomorph. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudomorph#:~:text=In%20mineralogy%2C%20a%20pseudomorph%20is,literally%20means%20%22false%20form%22.
Gem-A. (2023, November 23). Understanding The Cat's Eye Effect In Gemstones | Gem-A. The Gemmological Association of Great Britain | Gem-A. https://gem-a.com/understanding-the-cats-eye-effect-in-gemstones/#:~:text=The%20term%20'chatoyancy'%2C%20deriving,the%20observer's%20line%20of%20sight.