Tumbled Tiger's Eye Value Guide

This polished metamorphic rock is a modern example of a stone once prized by Roman soldiers for protection and courage in battle. Formed through the replacement of crocidolite with quartz and iron oxide, these South African specimens showcase a distinct golden to red-brown chatoyancy.

What affects the value of Tumbled Tiger's Eye?

• The intensity and clarity of the golden-brown luster significantly impact the $3.00-$3.30 price range.
• Surface quality, including the absence of pits or fractures from the tumbling process, preserves value.
• The distinctness of the chatoyant bands and the overall symmetry of the polished shape.
• Authenticity of the South African origin, known for producing the highest quality fibrous quartz.

How to Identify Tumbled Tiger's Eye?

• Look for the characteristic 'cat's eye' chatoyancy that shifts as the stone is rotated under light.
• Verify the presence of silky, fibrous bands of golden-yellow and deep brown iron oxide.
• Check for a high-gloss, smooth finish typical of modern 2020-2024 tumbling processes.
• Confirm the material is a dense quartz-based pseudomorph that feels cool to the touch.

History of Tumbled Tiger's Eye

Tiger's eye is formed when quartz replaces the fibrous mineral crocidolite. Historically, Roman soldiers wore tiger's eye for protection during battle, believing it would provide them with courage and the ability to see through deception. In the late 19th century, it was considered a precious gemstone and was quite rare until large deposits were discovered in South Africa.