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What is Tiger’s Eye?

Tiger's Eye Stone

Tiger’s eye, also called tiger eye, is a chatoyant gemstone. It is usually a metamorphic rock with a golden to red-brown color. It also has a silky luster. Tiger’s eye and the blue-colored hawk’s eye are part of the quartz group. They gain their silky, lustrous appearance from the parallel intergrowth of quartz crystals. Altered amphibole fibers, mostly turned into limonite, also contribute. (1)

Silky and dressed in ocean shades, the Blue Tigers Eye stone is full of soothing energy. It is known for its ability to bring emotional balance, comfort, and harmony. These properties benefit all who call on its protective energy. Blue Tigers Eye is known by other names – Falcon’s Eye, Tigers Eye, Hawks Eye, Ox Eye, and Tiger Iron. . You can get gold Tigers Eye, Red Tigers Eye, and Blue Tigers Eye and each carry their own properties. The blue color version shares similar vibes with the classic Tigers Eye. It represents the transition point between a stone turning from Hawks Eye to Tigers Eye. At this earlier stage, it weaves in those spiritual elements of blue. 

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Tigers Eye has been linked to the energy of the sun god Ra since ancient times. It was beloved as a talisman in battle due to its breath of courage and rare resilience. This good luck stone can be found in India, Brazil, Canada, and Namibia. We take a deep dive into the healing properties of the Blue Tigers Eye.

The Blue Tigers Eye is a stunning spiritual stone. It uniquely balances nurturing strength and courage. It also ensures you stay calm and connected, no matter what life throws at you. As a strong and willing stone, the Blue Tigers Eye works across the body, mind, and soul. We take a look at the physical and metaphysical properties of this blue balancing gem. (2)

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Gems are usually given a cabochon cut to best display their chatoyance. Red stones are developed by gentle heat treatments. Dark stones are artificially lightened to improve color using a nitric acid treatment.[9]

Honey-colored stones have been used to imitate the more valued cat’s eye chrysoberyl, cymophane. However, the overall effect is often unconvincing. Artificial fiber optic glass is a common imitation of tiger’s eye, and is produced in a wide range of colors. (1)

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Blue Tiger’s Eye Necklace

Blue Tiger’s Eye Necklace

$36.00

This Blue Tiger’s Eye Necklace is composed of 10mm Natural Blue Tiger’s Eye and 6mm white spacer beads along with silver plated necklace components.

1 in stock

SKU: SJDB004
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Sources

(1) Wikipedia
(2) Tiny Rituals
(3) Photos by Freepik

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What is Turquoise?

Turquoise stone

Admired since ancient times, turquoise is known for its distinct color, which ranges from powdery blue to greenish robin egg blue. It’s one of few minerals to lend its name to anything that resembles its striking color.

The word “turquoise” dates back to the 13th century, drawing from the French expression pierre tourques, which referenced the “Turkish stone” brought to Europe from Turkey.

Ancient Persia (now Iran) was the traditional source for sky blue turquoise gemstones. This color is often called “Persian blue” today, regardless of its origin. The Sinai Peninsula in Egypt was also an important historical source of turquoise gems.

The U.S. is now the world’s largest turquoise supplier. Nevada, New Mexico, California, and Colorado have produced turquoise, but Arizona leads in production by value, as well as quality. The stone’s popularity here makes it a staple in Native American jewelry.

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Turquoise is found in arid regions where rainwater dissolves copper in the soil, forming colorful nodular deposits when it combines with aluminum and phosphorus. Copper contributes blue hues, while iron and chrome add a hint of green.

Some turquoise contains pieces of host rock, called matrix, which appear as dark webs or patches in the material. This can lower the stone’s value, although the uniform “spiderweb” pattern of Southwestern turquoise is attractive.

Turquoise is sensitive to direct sunlight and solvents like makeup, perfume, and natural oils. The hardest turquoise only measures 6 on the Mohs scale, which made this soft gemstone popular in carved talismans throughout history.

From ancient Egyptians to Persians, Aztecs and Native Americans, kings and warriors alike admired turquoise for thousands of years. It adorned everything from jewelry to ceremonial masks to weapons and bridles.

Highly esteemed for its striking namesake color and its ancient history, turquoise’s popularity remains timeless. (2)

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Natural Turquoise Stone Bead Necklaces

Natural Turquoise Stone Bead Necklaces

$27.00

These Natural Turquoise Stone Bead Necklaces are composed of Natural Turquoise Stone Beads, Natural African Turquoise Stone Beads, gold-plated round spacer beads and toggle clasp

2 in stock

SKU: SJDB098
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Sources

(1) Image by tohamina on Freepik
(2) American Gem Society
(3) Image by Freepik

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What is Anhydrite (Angelite)?

Angelite in hands

Rare and difficult to cut, anhydrite is seldom faceted. However, this material can be carved into beautiful objects. “Angelite,” a blue-gray variety, has become a popular choice for lapidary arts.

This translucent, blue-gray anhydrite variety known by the trade name “angelite” or “angeline” has become a popular gem material. Discovered in Peru, it was introduced to worldwide gem markets in the late 1980s. This material has been used for beads, spheres, and carvings. Of course, these trade names carry deliberate angelic connotations. The gem’s color may evoke sky blue or, perhaps, a “heavenly” blue.

Does Anhydrite Make a Good Jewelry Stone?

Anhydrite doesn’t occur in abundance. When exposed to water over time, it alters into the much more commonly found gypsum. Not surprisingly, facetable material is rarer still.

With excellent cleavage planes in three directions, anhydrites also prove challenging to cut and fragile for wear. Furthermore, with a hardness range of 3-3.5, they’re very susceptible to scratching, which further limits their use as jewelry stones. Avoid ring use and use protective settings whenever possible with this gem. Consider creating earrings, pendants, and bracelets, instead. Artisans have carved objects and cut cabochons from this material. Of course, carvings and decorative objects will hopefully face fewer risks than jewelry.

Close-up view of a polished anhydrite stone showcasing brown and yellow bands with intricate patterns.
Anhydrite Bowel Stone (2)

Other Anhydrite Varieties

Although angelite is the most well-known anhydrite variety, various types of anhydrites with lapidary uses or unusual appearances have also received trade names. (1)

  • Bowel Stone
    Anhydrite that occurs in folded, concretionary forms is known as bowel stone. This variety name also carries deliberate connotations.
  • Blue “Egyptian” Anhydrite
    The Ancient Egyptians used white anhydrite as well as a distinctive blue-tinted variety to create beautiful objects. However, the ancient source of the blue material, which takes a good polish, has never been found.
  • Vulpinite
    This white-gray, marble-like textured material from Volpino, Italy is used locally for cabs and as a decorative stone.

Identifying Characteristics

Because of the intersection of anhydrite’s cleavage planes at right angles, these gems may break apart and reveal cube-like (pseudo-cubic) forms. This appearance has led to another name for this gemstone: “cube spar.” Despite appearances, anhydrites have an orthorhombic crystal habit, not a cubic or isometric habit. (1)

Blue “Egyptian” Anhydrite (2)

How to Care for Anhydrites

Keep any anhydrites dry, especially if placed in storage. They will readily absorb moisture and, over time, turn wholly or partly into gypsum.

Don’t wipe dust off anhydrites. Since household dust consists mostly of silicon quartz, which is far harder (7) than anhydrites, you’ll scratch them. Pat them with a lint-free cloth, instead. (1)

Sources
(1) International Gem Society
(2) FreePik

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Angelite and Agate Necklaces

Angelite and Agate Necklaces

$32.00

These Angelite and Agate Necklaces are composed of 8mm Natural Green Angelite Gemstone, 8mm Natural Blue Dragon Agate, silver-plated round spacer beads and magnetic clasps.

2 in stock

SKU: SJDB149
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