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When asked about “tiger eyes” what is the first thing that comes to mind? For some, no doubt, it is the theme song to Rocky III. For others, a poem by William Blake. Or does it conjure up pictures of a magnificent creature, gloriously coated, with tawny, fierce, but strong eyes. Fortunately, tiger eye beads are not made of these magnificent eyes but are so-named because in color and appearance they greatly resemble the fire and power found within the eye of the tiger.

What is a tiger eye stone?

Tiger eye is actually a form of quartz, most often found in South Africa, Australia, Thailand, India, and parts of the United States and Canada. Thanks to an effect called “chatoyancy” the tiger eye stone appear to reflect back, in the same way, a cat’s eye seems to do. This can give it a shimmery appearance, similar to looking at quality silk. Generally, the stone is colored golden-brown, but in some instances may have a red hue. Chemically, it is a form of silicon dioxide which developed over time from crocidolite, a type of blue asbestos, to the finer chalcedony. 

Tiger eye beads in history

In Roman times, soldiers valued talismans and amulets made of this stone. Perhaps it was its beauty, but more likely, the tiger eye bead reflected its namesake – a strong, valiant, tenacious fighter which didn’t give up when stalking its prey and was seldom defeated. It was associated with Ra, the Egyptian god of the sun, and was believed to contain the sun’s power.

Why use tiger eye beads in jewelry?

• Beauty and style. The simple, elegant, but powerful beauty of this stone ensures that any tiger eye beads will automatically draw other eyes to it. Its depth of color and luster, as well as its unusual “cat’s eye” effect inevitably will make it the center of attention on any necklace, bracelet, brooch, or other jewelry items.
• Versatility and price. While beautiful, these gems are not rare, and so they are eminently affordable and accessible. They can be styled into any number of accessories, and for sheer price and variety, it’s hard to go past the many ways in which tiger eye beads can be fashioned into appealing designs and ornamental jewelry.
• Accessorize easily with just about anything. What color doesn’t go with deep gold? Any necklace, bracelet, ring, or earring made from tiger eye beads can blend nicely into, or stand out from, just about any hair color, style or shade of clothing, or other equally fine necklaces, earrings, rings, or bracelets worn alongside these gems.

Tiger eye beads – mythology and legends

As mentioned, tiger eye amulets were used in ancient Roman and Egyptian times. The power of these stones is credited with allowing soldiers to concentrate on the job at hand with force, courage, and determination. Tiger eye bead jewelry was said to fend off enemies – both human and spiritual. It served as an all-seeing “eye” which protected the wearer from wounds and illnesses.

Using tiger eye beads

Followers of the principles of Feng shui have used the protective qualities of tiger eye beads to:

• Focus the mind away from negative thoughts and patterns
• Cleanse a room of bad energy
• Balance the positive and negative flows of a room or office to encourage clear and courageous decision making
• Stimulate harmony by neutralizing complex or confrontational situations
• Improve concentration, allowing the wearer or user to focus on the important issues and not be side-tracked by inconsequentialities

Many popular Feng shui devices where the incorporation of tiger eye beads are recommended include pi balls and wind chimes. Tiger eye bracelets worn on injured arms are believed to help the healing process.

Other uses for tiger eye bead jewelry

• As a wedding anniversary gift. What better way to celebrate nine years of happy marriage than a gift made from this beautiful gem? A representative of strength and courage, as well as a talisman for good luck and fortune for the next nine years (and climbing!), choose from a range of heart-shaped beads, his-and-her matching bracelets, or as a decoration for the home.
• As a good luck charm. Whether it’s a tricky contract negotiation, a sale that must happen, or a tough exam, a talisman made from these lucky beads can provide strength, confidence, and surety in the wearer’s ability to conquer the toughest of hurdles.
• To fend off ill health. Suffering from high blood pressure because of stress? Is that cold or fever feeling worse than it should because of tiredness and lethargy? Are the nerves constantly jangling or is there an overabundance of conflict in the air, causing anxiety? Wearing tiger eye bead jewelry or using it as decorations in the home or office can help promote a healthy, calm, and relaxing state of mind which will soothe the nerves and lead to a faster, gentler recovery.

Enjoy a great range of tiger eye bead jewelry and accessories. Find out more about how to get in touch and start your collection today.

Gemstone beads are amazing additions to any piece you create. With their interesting textures, unique colors, and eye-catching patterns, it is no surprise that gemstone beads are in high demand for do-it-yourself jewelers. Add in the health benefits often associated with these gemstones, like aiding in pain relief or calming the mind, and you have a perfect combination of fabulous and beneficial designs.

Unfortunately, for many novice jewelry makers, working with gemstones can prove to be a challenge. With each stone having its own personality, failing to understand how they must be handled can easily turn a detailed design into a disaster. Knowing in advance certain pitfalls that may cause issues down the road will help guarantee your vision can become a reality. Here are some of the top mistakes bead workers make when handling and building jewelry with gemstone beads.

1. Not Cleaning Your Beads

One of the most common mistakes seen when using gemstone beads is failing to clean them. Without properly washing your beads prior to storage and use, you allow leftover dyes, oils, or debris to remain on their surfaces. Choosing to let this detritus remain guarantees a batch of scuffed and scratched stones when it comes time to create your piece. This debris can also compromise the integrity of the stone, causing a possible chip or break later as well.

2. Using the Wrong Cleanser

Working with semi-precious and precious beads requires time and research. Each type of stone has certain properties that dictate what cleansing process to use. Most stones can be safely washed in lukewarm or cool water with soap, but assuming soap is okay to use for any stone would be folly. Certain gemstone beads, like freshwater pearls, find soaps to be too abrasive, stripping them of their shine. Searching for a perfect, specialized cleanser is a necessity for these softer gems in order for them to keep their natural glow.

3. Steaming or Boiling Your Beads

For many, the idea of using soaps or cleaners on their newly purchased beads is reprehensible. In these instances, opting to steam or boil the beads to clean them properly may seem like a great option. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Steaming or boiling gemstones will often cause a large amount of breakdown due to the high temperatures.

While some of the harder stones can handle heat without an issue, softer stones are generally unable to handle the temperature spike and will fracture or break. Remembering to use cool or warm water when scrubbing your beads is always the safest option to ensure a shiny, clean surface without the possibility of damage.

4. Improper Storage

Inadequately storing your items is a surefire way to guarantee damage will occur. Haphazardly tossing them into a bin, bowl, or tray will not only intermingle your gems with your regular beads, making them harder to locate, but the variety of hardness levels can spell trouble for the beads’ integrity. Placing them in a box with beads that rate higher on a Mohs Hardness Scale means you can expect to find your precious stones fragmented or otherwise damaged when it comes time to build your jewelry.

Placing your gems in a container with assigned sections is the first step in proper storage. The individual compartments will keep the stones organized and safe. Placing some cotton along the top of the container will also help make sure your beautiful bounty is tucked away nice and safe until you are ready to convert those individual beads into a fabulous statement piece.

5. Selecting the Wrong Bead Reamer

Finding the perfect gemstone bead only to realize it has too small of a hole, an irregular edge, or some other section that needs a quick file to smooth it down is a common occurrence when working with beads of any kind. Picking up your handy bead reamer to remedy any issues will always be your first instinct. However, when working with gemstones, using any conveniently located bead reamer may destroy your beautiful stones. If the grit is too harsh, rather than creating a custom eye-catching piece, you’ll see your unique gems crumbling away into dust.

Checking that Mohs Hardness Scale and determining what each stone’s level of strength is and selecting a corresponding reamer is always the safest option. Stones like pearls, amber, or coral need a much softer texture than you would use on a harder stone like garnet.

Final Thoughts

Properly handling your gemstone beads will be a breeze once you know to avoid these common mistakes. By simply taking the time to research the Mohs Hardness Scale of each stone, you can easily research the proper way to clean, store, and prepare your gem. So, grab your favorite brand of bead reamer—in the appropriate grit, of course; set out that beautiful bounty of stones; and make something extraordinary.