PRO Courses Hot Guides Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade
QUIZZES All Quizzes Hot Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Trivia Quizzes Taylor Swift Quizzes
EDIT Edit this Article
EXPLORE Tech Help ProAbout UsRandom ArticleQuizzes Request a New ArticleCommunity DashboardTrendingForums Arts and EntertainmentArtworkBooksMoviesComputers and ElectronicsComputersPhone SkillsTechnology HacksHealthMen's HealthMental HealthWomen's HealthRelationshipsDatingLoveRelationship Issues Hobbies and CraftsCraftsDrawingGamesEducation & CommunicationCommunication SkillsPersonal DevelopmentStudyingPersonal Care and StyleFashionHair CarePersonal Hygiene Quizzes Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Fun Games ForumsArts and EntertainmentFinance and BusinessHome and Garden Relationship QuizzesCars & Other VehiclesFood and EntertainingPersonal Care and Style Sports and FitnessComputers and ElectronicsHealthPets and Animals TravelEducation & CommunicationHobbies and CraftsPhilosophy and Religion Work WorldFamily LifeHolidays and TraditionsRelationships Youth
LOG IN
Log in
Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. FacebookGooglewikiHow Account No account yet? Create an account
RANDOM
Home
Random
Browse Articles
TrendingNew
Quizzes & Games
All QuizzesHot
Love Quizzes
Personality Quizzes
Fun Games
Dating Simulator
Learn Something New
Forums
Courses
Happiness Hub
Explore More
Support wikiHow
About wikiHow
Log in / Sign up
Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow
Categories
Hobbies and Crafts
Rocks and Minerals
Gemstones
Buying Gemstones
How to Identify Original Tiger's Eye Stone Download Article Co-authored by Edward Lewand
Last Updated: February 24, 2025 References
Download Article
Looking at the Physical Characteristics
|
Checking for Chatoyancy
|
Tips
|Show more|Show less X
This article was co-authored by Edward Lewand. Edward Lewand is a Graduate Gemologist & Accredited Appraiser with over 36 years of experience in the jewelry industry. He completed his residency in graduate gemology at the G.I.A. in 1979, New York and now specializes in Fine, Antique and Estate Jewelry, consultations and expert witness work. He is a Certified Appraiser of the Appraiser Association of America (AAA) and an Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) of the American Society of Appraisers In Gems and Jewelry. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 217,518 times.
Tiger's eye is a golden-brown stone renowned for its optical effects under light. When light shines on the stone, it may seem like the bands and colors are moving in a cat-eye effect. This effect, known as chatoyancy, happens because the stone is made up of long fibers, or columns, of quartz interspersed with crocidolite fibers.[1]XResearch source When trying to identify this stone, look for the physical properties, such as color and luster. Then, hold the rock under a light to check for chatoyancy.
Steps
Part 1 Part 1 of 2:
Looking at the Physical Characteristics
Download Article
1 Notice golden brown stripes. This stone's main colors are golds, yellows, and browns. You'll see these colors in striations throughout the rock. Striations are just linear bands of rock that form colors. Some of the browns are fairly dark, almost black.[2]XResearch source
It can also have reddish-brown bands, though that's sometimes referred to as ox's eye.[3]XResearch source
In some tiger's eye, you may notice a few stripes of blue. Hawk's eye is a purely blue form of this rock.
2 Examine the stone for a glass-like luster. Tiger's eye is formed from quartz, and quartz has this type of shine. Therefore, when you're looking at tiger's eye, it should look somewhat like glass when you hold up to the light.[4]XResearch source
You might also see a silver-toned hue in the luster when you hold it under a light.[5]XResearch source
Advertisement
3 Check to see if it will scratch glass. Since tiger's eye is formed from quartz, it rates a 7 on the Mohs hardness scale.[6]XResearch source That means that it should be able to scratch glass, which is a softer material on the Mohs scale. Scrape the edge of the rock against a scrap piece of glass. If it scratches the glass, then it registers higher on the Mohs scale than glass.[7]XResearch source
All the scale measures is how well the material resists scratching. A "harder" material will scratch a "softer" material.
Advertisement Part 2 Part 2 of 2:
Checking for Chatoyancy
Download Article
1 Hold the stone under a light. You need the light to check for the optical effect known as chatoyancy. This word means "cat eye" in French and it's used to describe tiger's eye because of the way it changes color under light.[8]XResearch source
You will be able to see the effect better in a polished rock.
Shine a bright lamp or flashlight on the stone.
2 Move the stone back and forth. Hold the stone between your index finger and your thumb. Tip it forward and back in the light. Do it slowly, so you can observe what's going on in the stone.[9]XResearch source
You don't want to move too fast, as it will be harder to see the cat-eye effect.
3 Look for the changing bands of color. As you move the rock up and down, look for "movement" in the rock. The rock isn't actually moving, but the light will make it look like the bands of color are changing size and shape.[10]XResearch source
This movement is known as the cat-eye effect because it resembles the way a cat eye looks when light strikes it.
EXPERT TIP
Edward Lewand
Graduate Gemologist & Accredited Appraiser Edward Lewand is a Graduate Gemologist & Accredited Appraiser with over 36 years of experience in the jewelry industry. He completed his residency in graduate gemology at the G.I.A. in 1979, New York and now specializes in Fine, Antique and Estate Jewelry, consultations and expert witness work. He is a Certified Appraiser of the Appraiser Association of America (AAA) and an Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) of the American Society of Appraisers In Gems and Jewelry. Edward Lewand Graduate Gemologist & Accredited Appraiser
Did You Know? Tiger's Eye is a beautiful, versatile stone that's perfect for both men's and women's jewelry. It's often used in drop earrings, beads, rings, and even ear gauges.
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Search Add New Question Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement
Tips
Tiger's eye has traditionally been used as protection against ill-wishes, the "evil eye," or curses. It's also said to give you bravery and strength of will.[11]XResearch sourceThanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement
You Might Also Like
How toIdentify GemstonesYour Complete Guide to the Red Tiger’s Eye CrystalHow to Spot the Difference between Real and Fake TurquoiseHow toIdentify Tourmaline7 Ways to Tell if Clear Quartz Is Real or FakeHow toIdentify AgateHow toTell Glass from Semi Precious Stone BeadsHow toTell if a Diamond is RealHow toCheck Yellow SapphireHow toTell if a Crystal Is RealHow to Tell If a Stone Is Genuine OpalHow toIdentify Metamorphic RocksHow to Identify Gold Ore Rocks: Tests, Characteristics, & TypesEasy Ways to Identify Raw Gemstones Advertisement
Co-authored by: Edward Lewand Graduate Gemologist & Accredited Appraiser This article was co-authored by Edward Lewand. Edward Lewand is a Graduate Gemologist & Accredited Appraiser with over 36 years of experience in the jewelry industry. He completed his residency in graduate gemology at the G.I.A. in 1979, New York and now specializes in Fine, Antique and Estate Jewelry, consultations and expert witness work. He is a Certified Appraiser of the Appraiser Association of America (AAA) and an Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) of the American Society of Appraisers In Gems and Jewelry. This article has been viewed 217,518 times. 31 votes - 89% Co-authors: 5Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 217,518 Categories: Featured Articles | Authenticating Jewelry | Buying GemstonesArticle SummaryX
Tiger’s Eye stone has golden brown stripes throughout the rock, with some of the browns almost appearing black. If you're struggling to see the colors, try shining a light on the stone to see if it's real. If you have a scrap piece of glass, try rubbing the stone against it to see if it leaves a scratch mark. Tiger’s Eye is a very hard type of stone, so it will leave a scratch on glass. Tiger’s Eye is also shiny, since it’s made from quartz, which has a glass-like appearance. For tips on how to identify Tiger’s Eye by watching how it responds under light, read on!Did this summary help you?YesNo
In other languages German Portuguese Dutch Spanish Japanese
Print
Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 217,518 times.
Reader Success Stories
Anonymous
Dec 19, 2023
"I collect jewelry as a hobby, I like it to have natural stones silver or gold settings. Your articles will help to determine what is real and what is not. Thank you."..." more
Share your story
Did this article help you?
Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Edward Lewand Graduate Gemologist & Accredited Appraiser Co-authors: 5Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 217,51889% of readers found this article helpful. 31 votes - 89% Click a star to add your vote
Anonymous
Dec 19, 2023
"I collect jewelry as a hobby, I like it to have natural stones silver or gold settings. Your articles will help to determine what is real and what is not. Thank you."..." more Share yours!
Quizzes & Games
Which Member of KATSEYE Am I QuizTake QuizHow Strong Is Your Intuition QuizTake QuizWhat Crystal Do I Need QuizTake QuizWhat's My Eye Type QuizTake QuizWhat Symbol Best Represents Me QuizTake QuizGuess My Eye Color QuizTake Quiz
You Might Also Like
How toIdentify GemstonesYour Complete Guide to the Red Tiger’s Eye CrystalHow to Spot the Difference between Real and Fake TurquoiseHow toIdentify Tourmaline
Featured Articles
150+ Love Paragraphs to Make Him Feel SpecialWhat Does Your Tattoo Placement Mean? Spiritual & Aesthetic Meanings19 of the Rarest Wonders from around the WorldWhat Is the Fun Scale? The 3 Types of Fun & Their BenefitsWhat Is My Aesthetic QuizHow to Celebrate Xmas: Expert Advice on Enjoying the Holidays
Trending Articles
How toMake OutAm I a Gigachad or Totally Chopped?How Rare Is My Birthday Quiz180 Good Comebacks & Savage Roasts to Win Any ArgumentWhat Are the Gay Male Body Types (And Which Do You Have?)Random Fortune Generator
Featured Articles
Hilarious Clean Jokes That’ll Make Adults & Kids LaughAm I Ready For A Relationship QuizWhy Is He Ignoring Me? 12 Possible Reasons (Plus, What to Do)A Complete Style Guide for the Gamine Kibbe Body TypeHow to Tell if You’re in LoveWhich Chaotic Evil Villain Am I Quiz
Featured Articles
What Does It Mean If Someone Tries to Kill You in Your Dream?200+ Best Questions to Ask Someone You Like (Texting & IRL)How Beautiful Am I Quiz13 Types of Hairlines for Men and Women (And How to Maintain Yours)Which of the 8 Face Shapes Do You Have? Helpful Tips & Style GuidanceMental Illness Test
Watch Articles
How toWrap a Round GiftHow toSteam in an OvenHow to Make Plant-Based Meat: 4 Incredible RecipesHow toClean a Silver Necklace4 Easy Ways to Open a Can of SodaHow toPart Your Hair
Trending Articles
Is Your Personality More 6 or 7?What Should My Name Really Be QuizIs a Guy You Don't Know Well Interested in You?Which Classic Christmas Movie Character Am I?Can We Guess If You're a Cat or Dog Person?What’s My Demigod Fatal Flaw Quiz
Quizzes & Games
What Kind of Cat Am I QuizTake QuizBlack Cat or Golden Retriever QuizTake QuizShould I Wear Gold or Silver QuizTake QuizEngagement Ring QuizTake QuizDo I Need Glasses QuizTake QuizSuper Abilities QuizTake Quiz
Categories
Hobbies and Crafts
Rocks and Minerals
Gemstones
Buying Gemstones
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
Home
About wikiHow
Experts
Jobs
Contact Us
Site Map
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Do Not Sell or Share My Info
Not Selling Info
Contribute
Follow Us
×
wikiHow Tech Help Pro:
Develop the tech skills you need for work and life
Download Article Co-authored by Edward Lewand 
Advertisement 
Co-authored by: Edward Lewand Graduate Gemologist & Accredited Appraiser This article was co-authored by Edward Lewand. Edward Lewand is a Graduate Gemologist & Accredited Appraiser with over 36 years of experience in the jewelry industry. He completed his residency in graduate gemology at the G.I.A. in 1979, New York and now specializes in Fine, Antique and Estate Jewelry, consultations and expert witness work. He is a Certified Appraiser of the Appraiser Association of America (AAA) and an Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) of the American Society of Appraisers In Gems and Jewelry. This article has been viewed 217,518 times. 31 votes - 89% Co-authors: 5 Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 217,518 Categories: Featured Articles | Authenticating Jewelry | Buying Gemstones Article SummaryX
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz 
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz 
498 
1 Notice golden brown stripes. This stone's main colors are golds, yellows, and browns. You'll see these colors in striations throughout the rock. Striations are just linear bands of rock that form colors. Some of the browns are fairly dark, almost black.[2] 
2 Examine the stone for a glass-like luster. Tiger's eye is formed from quartz, and quartz has this type of shine. Therefore, when you're looking at tiger's eye, it should look somewhat like glass when you hold up to the light.[4] 
3 Check to see if it will scratch glass. Since tiger's eye is formed from quartz, it rates a 7 on the Mohs hardness scale.[6] That means that it should be able to scratch glass, which is a softer material on the Mohs scale. Scrape the edge of the rock against a scrap piece of glass. If it scratches the glass, then it registers higher on the Mohs scale than glass.[7] 
1 Hold the stone under a light. You need the light to check for the optical effect known as chatoyancy. This word means "cat eye" in French and it's used to describe tiger's eye because of the way it changes color under light.[8] 
2 Move the stone back and forth. Hold the stone between your index finger and your thumb. Tip it forward and back in the light. Do it slowly, so you can observe what's going on in the stone.[9] 
3 Look for the changing bands of color. As you move the rock up and down, look for "movement" in the rock. The rock isn't actually moving, but the light will make it look like the bands of color are changing size and shape.[10] 
Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy.