Have you ever been intrigued by that gem with different layers of brown and amber tones? That stone is called tiger's eye, and appropriately so, because it does resemble the hues in the giant cat's irises.
Used in many antique jewelry pieces, the gem is making a comeback in the contemporary scene, used as beads in bracelets, earrings and cocktail rings. According to Bernardine Fine Art Jewelry, tiger's eye is part of the quartz group of chalcedonies. The gem is mostly cut in a cabochon fashion as opposed to facets to further showcase its chatoyancy, which is the reflectivity of the stone from the parallel fibrous elements found within.
For the believers of the supernatural, tiger's eye is believed to bring psychic powers to its wearers (third eye, anyone?). It is also considered to be beneficial for those suffering from any health problems and is good for overall spiritual wellbeing, according to the source.
Thinking about gifting your loved one with an antique cocktail ring that features the stone? You might want to wait for your ninth wedding anniversary, as the tiger's eye is considered to be the accepted gem for the occasion.
