Original Tiger Eye Bracelet
Real tiger eye is a banded quartz with a moving shimmer. Here is how to buy one.
Updated . Edited by: Ilyass Ben Hakim.
Where to buy
- Search AmazonLive search · amazon.com
- Search EtsyLive search · etsy.com
- Google ShoppingLive search · google.com
- Search eBayLive search · ebay.com
Look for listings that say natural, untreated tiger eye. Gem shops and bead sellers often show close photos of each bead.
Professional insight
Gem dealers judge tiger eye by its moving light band first. Color comes second.
- Tilt beads under one lamp; the band should roll.
- Uniform, bright bead colour hints at dye or glass.
- Ask if red or blue beads were heated or dyed.
- Check that beads are drilled straight, with no chipped holes.
Check the label
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Tiger eye stone facts
- Mineral
- Quartz with fibrous inclusions
- Iron oxides give the gold and brown tones
- Hardness
- 6.5 to 7 Mohs
- Main source
- South Africa
- Known for strong colour and shimmer
The shimmer is called chatoyancy. It comes from parallel fibres inside the stone.
Red flags
- Every bead shows the exact same stripe pattern.
- Beads feel light and warm up fast in the hand.
- Tiny round bubbles visible under a loupe.
- Neon gold or bright red colour with no depth.
- Listing hides the word "dyed" in small print.
- Price far below similar bracelets from known gem sellers.
Types
| Type | Colour | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Gold tiger eye | Golden yellow to brown | The most common natural form |
| Red tiger eye | Deep red brown | Usually heated gold tiger eye |
| Blue tiger eye (hawk's eye) | Blue grey | Rarer, less oxidised stage |
| Fibre optic glass | Bright, very even | An imitation, not a stone |
Sizing
- 1Wrap a soft tape around your wrist bone.
- 2Note the snug measurement in cm.
- 3Add about 1 to 2 cm for a comfortable fit.
- 4Add a little more for 10 or 12 mm beads.
- 5Match that total to the bracelet length listed.
Care
- Wipe beads with mild soap, lukewarm water and a soft cloth.
- Dry the cord fully before wearing again.
- Skip ultrasonic cleaners and harsh cleaners.
- Take it off for swimming, showers and the gym.
- Store it apart from harder stones to avoid scratches.
Common questions
- Is red tiger eye natural?
- Most red tiger eye is gold stone that was heated. Ask the seller.
- Can tiger eye be lab grown?
- No true synthetic tiger eye is sold. Fakes are glass, resin or dyed stone.
- Does a real bracelet feel cold?
- Quartz feels cool and stays cool longer than glass or plastic.
- Do healing claims prove a stone is real?
- No. Judge the stone by shimmer, weight and seller disclosure.