10.74 Ct. Cabochon Tiger's Eye from South Africa

This specimen is a 10.74 carat, oval shape, golden brown tiger eye, presented as a classical cabochon, with dimensions of 18.09 x 13.09 x 6.60 mm, and a clarity grade recorded as opaque when evaluated at eye level. The piece originates from South Africa, and bears no enhancements or treatments. Color intensity is noted as n a in the data, and the visible color distribution ranges from warm golden tones to deeper brown zones when viewed under directional lighting. The cabochon form emphasizes the chatoyant band which runs parallel to the long axis of the oval, producing the classical cat s eye effect that collectors and designers expect from premium tiger eye. The Natural Gemstone Company confirms an excellent polish, with a smooth, reflective dome and well defined banding, suitable for high end jewelry applications where optical performance and surface finish are priorities.

From a lapidary and optical standpoint the cutting and finishing of this cabochon reflect deliberate control of orientation, dome height, and surface refinement. The 6.60 mm height of the dome provides sufficient curvature to concentrate reflected light into a tight, mobile chatoyant band, while the oval outline at 18.09 by 13.09 mm preserves symmetry and balance for conventional mountings. Tiger eye owes its chatoyancy to fine parallel fibrous structures that are pseudomorphs after crocidolite, replaced by silica while retaining the aligned fibrous habit, and the cutter s objective is to align that fibrous axis precisely with the major axis of the cabochon. Preforming was executed to establish the correct axis, followed by progressive sanding to remove surface facets generated by grinding, and final polishing to achieve the excellent polish grade reported. The lack of faceting means the optical behavior is governed by surface curvature and internal fiber alignment rather than facet geometry, and the result is a clean, bright band that moves smoothly across the dome with changes in incident light angle, indicating meticulous control of both material selection and cutting technique.

For connoisseurs and designers considering this tiger eye for bespoke work, the combination of weight, size, and optical quality offers clear opportunities and specific handling recommendations. The 10.74 carat weight and substantial dimensions make the stone ideal for signature rings, pendants, and cufflinks where a pronounced chatoyant effect will be a focal point. Bezel settings and low profile four prong settings are recommended to stabilize the cabochon while allowing the dome to interact freely with directional light, and care should be taken during setting to avoid excessive pressure across the dome which could induce surface stress. Cleaning is best accomplished with warm soapy water and a soft brush, avoiding ultrasonic and steam methods due to the fibrous internal structure and natural inclusions, and storage should prevent contact with harder gemstones to preserve the excellent polish. The Natural Gemstone Company documents provenance from South Africa, confirms no enhancement, and can supply additional images from orthogonal angles or provide guidance on matching pairs for complementary designs. Please contact our gemological specialists for lap reports, bespoke mounting advice, and to arrange viewing under controlled lighting to evaluate the chatoyancy and surface finish prior to commission.