Tiger eye is one of the easiest stones to recognise: a brown and gold bead with a band of light that slides across the surface as you turn it. This guide explains the main colours, what the stone is traditionally associated with, and how to choose a tiger eye bracelet or mala.
What tiger eye is
Tiger eye is a variety of quartz. Fine parallel fibres inside the stone reflect light in a moving band, an effect gemmologists call chatoyancy. It sits at about 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, so it stands up well to daily wear and to beads rubbing against each other on a mala.
Golden, blue and red tiger eye
Golden tiger eye
The classic honey-brown and gold stone. The colour comes from iron oxides in the fibres. This is the variety most often used for 108-bead malas.
Blue tiger eye
Also sold as hawk's eye. It is blue-grey to almost black, with a cooler, quieter band of light. It belongs to the same family of stone; the fibres have simply kept more of their original blue-grey colour.
Red tiger eye
A brick-red to deep mahogany stone. Most red tiger eye on the market is golden tiger eye that has been gently heated, which turns the iron oxides red. This is a common and stable treatment, and a seller should be willing to say so.
What it is associated with
In crystal traditions tiger eye is commonly described as a stone of protection, courage and steady focus. In Chinese-speaking communities the golden variety is also popularly linked with good fortune. These are cultural associations rather than tested effects, and tiger eye is not one of the classical mala materials named in Buddhist texts. Many people simply choose it as a warm, durable stone that feels good to count on.
Tiger eye bracelets and malas
Golden and blue tiger eye pieces from our Tiger Eye collection.
How to choose
Bracelet or 108-bead mala
A single-loop bracelet on elastic is the simplest choice for daily wear. A 108-bead mala can be used for counting mantras and worn as a necklace or wrapped around the wrist. As a guide, a 108-bead mala with 6 mm (0.24 in) beads measures about 72 cm (28.35 in) around.
Bead size
- 6 mm (0.24 in): light and discreet; suits slim wrists and long malas.
- 8 mm (0.31 in): the most common size, easy to count and comfortable for most wrists.
- 10 to 12 mm (0.39 to 0.47 in): bold and heavier; the moving band of light shows most clearly on larger beads.
If you are unsure about fit, see our bracelet size guide.
What to look for
Turn the beads under a single light. Good tiger eye shows a clear band that moves smoothly across each bead. Natural stone varies a little from bead to bead. Very bright blue, green or pink beads sold as tiger eye are usually dyed.
Care
Wipe the beads with a soft dry cloth after wearing. Take the piece off before washing, swimming or sleeping so the cord or elastic lasts longer, and keep it away from perfume and household cleaners. For more detail, read how to care for mala beads.
