Tiger's Eye: History, Origin, Composition, Virtues, Significance and Recharging of the stone

Tiger's Eye is a stone from the Quartzite family, much loved for its shimmering appearance and its resemblance to a tiger's eye. Tiger's eye is appreciated by jewelers, who make it the perfect accessory for men and/or women. What's more, its relaxing and protective qualities in lithotherapy make it a highly prized and sold stone.

History of Tiger's Eye

The Tiger's Eye stone gets its name from its resemblance to a tiger's eye... But before the stone was so named, the Mesopotamians gave it the name Oculus Belus, meaning "eye of the god of fortune", to bring abundance and good fortune. At the time, "eye" stones were already well known and widely used. However, the term "tiger's eye" was not known in Europe, so it is assumed that the name originated in the Orient.

Tiger's eye has crossed many civilizations and many meanings and beliefs. Among the Romans, the stone was said to protect against curses and spells, and was used as a talisman to provide protection, courage and confidence.

Among the Chinese, tiger's eye is considered a stone of good fortune and capable of protecting against evil spirits. Among Native Americans, it is used as a sacred stone for concentration and mental clarity. In the 1800s, Tiger's Eye was discovered in South Africa. Its discovery made the stone extremely valuable, and it was sold at a very high price.

Origin and composition of Tiger's Eye

Tiger's Eye belongs to the Quartzite family. The stone is mainly composed of crocidolite and silicon dioxide with the chemical formula SiO2. It also contains asbestos and iron oxide fibers, and has a specific gravity of 2.68.

Tiger's eye forms in volcanic rocks such as rhyolites and basalts. There are several types of Tiger's Eye, including :

• Golden Tiger's Eye, the most common stone,
• Bull's eye, heated to its red color,
• Iron eye, a stone composed of hematite and red jasper,
• Falcon's eye, black with a blue-grey sheen.

Falcon's Eye is the mother stone of all the varieties, as Tiger's Eye has been heated in the sun to obtain its beautiful golden hue. If the stone is heated even longer, it turns red and is called Bull's Eye.

Origin of Tiger's Eye

The best-known Tiger's Eye deposits are found in South Africa, Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, the USA and Burma. The stone's hardness is 7 on the Mohs scale.

Virtues and Significance of Tiger's Eye

Tiger's Eye is a stone of protection and comfort.

Tiger's Eye in lithotherapy

On a physical level, Tiger's Eye is said to be protective for its ability to strengthen the immune system, the body and vital energy, whether mental or physical. In addition, the stone relieves digestive problems, stomach aches and negative emotions such as stress, fear, tension and, above all, anxiety. Nevertheless, Tiger's Eye is good for the eyes, improving eyesight and promoting relaxation.

On the psychic level, Tiger's Eye brings many benefits on the mental aspect as well as emotions; the stone regulates emotions to bring emotional stability. Tiger's Eye also boosts self-confidence, determination, clairvoyance and intuitive perception. What's more, the stone is said to help develop inner strength, perseverance and the ability to see beyond appearances.

Note that lithotherapy is not a substitute for medical treatment or expertise.

Significance of Tiger's Eye

The natural stone Tiger's Eye symbolizes protection.

It is bestowed on the solar plexus chakra, which boosts self-confidence, self-esteem and, above all, all intestinal problems. The third eye chakra, on the other hand, promotes wisdom, spirituality, clairvoyance and intuitive perception.

The astrological signs closest to Tiger's Eye are Leo, Gemini and Virgo.

Care, cleansing and recharging of Tiger's Eye

Cleaning and purification

To care for your Tiger's Eye stones, start by cleaning them with clear or distilled water for a few minutes, or place the stone in a bowl of salt for several hours and rinse with clear water.

Afterwards, purify the Tiger's Eye with incense or bury it in the ground for an entire night or for a few hours.

Recharging 

Finally, it's best to recharge Tiger's Eye with sunlight (for a few hours) or moonlight (overnight or for several hours), or with a cluster of quartz next to it.