What's That Rock?Tiger's eye
Also called: tiger eye
Golden-brown quartz with a silky band of light that moves when the stone is turned (chatoyancy).
How to identify Tiger's eye
- Shimmering golden bands that shift with angle
- Fibrous, silky look inside
- Hard: scratches glass
Often confused with
- Cat's-eye chrysoberylvery different, much costlier
- Fiber-optic glass
- Dyed or heated stones
Real or fake?
- Red 'bull's eye' is heated tiger's eye; this is common
- Fiber-optic glass imitations show unnaturally sharp lines
Is Tiger's eye valuable?
Inexpensive.
Typical retail prices
Tumbled stone$1–4each
Rough$6–30per pound
Cut gemstone$0.5–4per carat
Typical retail ranges in US dollars, compiled from public dealer and marketplace listings in October 2026. Real prices vary widely with quality, size and origin. This is general information, not an appraisal.
What changes the price
- Chatoyancy: a sharp, bright, silky band of light that moves with the stone is the top grade
- Color: golden-brown is classic; red ('bull's eye') is heated, blue ('hawk's eye') is rarer
- Cut: cabochons cut across the fibers to show the band cost more than random pieces
- Fakes: fiber-optic glass imitations show unnaturally sharp lines
Uses
- Beads, cabochons, carvings
Care
Safe to wash. Avoid heat.
Identifying a stone from a description or a photo is an estimate. Many stones look alike. Ask an expert or a gem lab before you buy, sell or rely on an identification.
Updated October 2026