The Dazzling Colors of Tiger Eye Gemstones

Tiger eye is a popular gemstone composed of silica that displays beautiful banding and chatoyance (a desirable optical reflectance effect). It comes in a range of warm, earthy colors from golden yellow to deep red, with the most common being golden brown. Here is an overview of the different colors of tiger eye and what causes them:

Golden Brown Tiger Eye

The most common color of tiger eye is a rich golden brown, like the coat of a tiger. This is the classic tiger eye that many people think of. The brown color comes from iron oxide impurities in the stone. When light hits the parallel fibers in the gem, it reflects back in a way that produces a striking banding effect. The stone seems to glow from within, explaining another name for tiger eye – cat’s eye. Golden brown tiger eye is found in locations like South Africa, India, Burma and Australia.

Red Tiger Eye

Red tiger eye has a dramatic color ranging from rich rusty red to deep crimson. The red tones come from hematite, a form of iron oxide mineral. Red tiger eye is found primarily in South Africa and Western Australia. It is rated at 6.5-7 on the Mohs hardness scale so it is fairly durable for use in jewelry. The red bands against the stone’s black matrix create beautiful visual effects. Red tiger eye is associated with vitality, passion and stimulation.

Blue Tiger Eye

Blue tiger eye is the rarest and most desirable color variety. Instead of iron oxide, blue tiger eye contains crocidolite fibers that give it a blue, gray, green or bluish-green color. The blues can range from pale blue-gray to deep blue. Blue tiger eye is typically mined in South Africa and is heat treated to enhance the color, since crocidolite is normally grayish. The stone has a soothing, tranquil quality.

Yellow Tiger Eye

Yellow tiger eye contains limonite that gives it lovely golden yellow, amber and brownish-yellow tones. It is not as common as the brown and red varieties. Yellow tiger eye is associated with clarity, optimism and new beginnings. It has an energizing and uplifting effect. The yellow bands contrast beautifully against the stone’s black matrix. Yellow tiger eye is found in locations like India, Burma and Western Australia.

Black Tiger Eye

Black tiger eye, also called onyx tiger eye, is actually a variety of onyx rather than tiger eye. It has parallel lines like tiger eye but they are white, gray or black instead of golden. Black tiger eye gets some of its coloring from hematite. It grounds and protects the spirit, clearing the mind of negative thoughts. Black tiger eye is mined in South Africa, India, Brazil and Western Australia. When polished into beads, the white bands in black tiger eye create a striking appearance.

Tiger eye comes in an array of warm luxurious colors, though golden brown is the most abundant. The subtly banded gemstones exhibit a special reflective quality called chatoyance that brings out their luminous beauty. Tiger eye in all its varieties is valued for its rich coloration, silky luster and mystical optical effects. The stone has a soothing, stabilizing energy and is believed to stimulate prosperity and success. The dazzling colors and special properties of tiger eye make it a popular choice for jewelry and decorative objects.