Red Tiger's Eye: a heat-treated stone, nature and care

What is red tiger's eye?

Tiger's eye is a stone famous for its silky sheen that shifts when you turn it (chatoyancy). It is made of quartz containing fibres of crocidolite, a blue amphibole, which turned golden when the iron in the fibres oxidised. The page tiger's eye describes the classic stone.

'Red tiger's eye' is, in the great majority of cases, a heated golden tiger's eye. Heating oxidises the iron in the fibres further, shifting it from gold to brick red through the formation of red iron oxide (hematite). Dealers and lapidaries say that natural red exists but is rare, and that almost everything sold has been treated. It is also called bull's eye or ox-eye (œil de taureau in French): see the page bull's eye.

An old and common treatment

Gently heating stones to change their colour is an ancient lapidary technique. It is difficult to detect, even in a laboratory, and is rarely mentioned on labels. Another common treatment of tiger's eye is lightening stones that are too dark with an acid bath (depending on the references); some pieces are also dyed or bleached. We have not found a reliable precise temperature for heating: if a seller gives one, take it with caution.

A treated red tiger's eye is not 'fake': it is a real stone whose colour has been changed, and that should simply be said. See how to read a label. Do not try to heat a stone yourself: there is a risk of burns and cracks, and possibly of releasing fibres (see below).

Safety: crocidolite fibres

Crocidolite is a variety of asbestos, blue asbestos. For a long time, tiger's eye was believed to be entirely quartz, and therefore harmless. A study by Pennsylvania State University (Heaney and Fisher, 2003, in the journal Geology) showed that crocidolite fibres are part of the stone's structure and that the chatoyancy comes from them. The publication contains no safety guidance, but other sources warn that when you cut or sand the stone, fibres can be released into the air.

• Polished stone, worn or placed: as far as we know, there is no particular risk from normal use of an intact, polished stone.
• Cutting, sanding, sawing, drilling, breaking: to be avoided. If you work the stone, do it under water, with a suitable filter mask and good ventilation.
• Broken or badly damaged stone: keep it in a sealed bag; do not sand or scrape it.
• Elixir: do not make one, and do not put the stone in your mouth.
• Children: keep an eye on them, as with any small stone (risk of swallowing).

Traditional symbolism

The red and the fiery glow of the sheen evoke courage, energy, willpower and drive. Tiger's eye in general is a very old ornamental stone: in various regions it was believed to ward off the evil eye. For the red version, these associations are modern.

These are beliefs and symbols, with no scientific proof. Red tiger's eye does not replace medical advice or psychological support.

Traditional correspondences

See the root chakra and the origin of the chakras.

How to use it

• In beads and bracelets: the warm reddish brown is easy to wear (bracelets).
• As a cabochon: pendant or ring; the sheen stands out better on a domed cabochon (jewellery guide).
• As a tumbled stone: a pebble to hold or place; this is the safest form.
• As a sphere or egg: decoration on a stand.

Care and cleansing

• Cleaning: lukewarm water, mild soap, soft cloth.
• Sunlight: a brief exposure is harmless. If the colour has been dyed, avoid long exposures.
• Heat: avoid strong sources (radiator, car left in the sun).
• Acids and household products: to be avoided.
• Salt: possible on a polished pebble, but rinse afterwards.
• Knocks: hard but brittle; store it separately.
• Symbolic cleansing: smoke, sound or moonlight (guide).

Recognising a real stone and its imitations

Fibre-optic glass is a common imitation of tiger's eye. 'Tiger iron', a mixture of tiger's eye, red jasper and black hematite, is a different rock (see tiger iron). See also real or fake stone and our commitments.

How to choose

Choose a clear sheen and an even colour. Red tiger's eye is affordable, like golden tiger's eye. Ask whether the colour is natural or heated; the most honest answer is often 'heated'. Stones with a strong sheen on a cabochon cost more than tumbled stones.

Pairings: with golden tiger's eye, hawk's eye (blue) or red jasper.

Frequently asked questions

Also read

The meanings mentioned belong to tradition and symbolism. They are neither promises of results nor medical advice. Back to Guide to stones.