9.72 Ct. Cabochon Tiger's Eye from South Africa

One exquisite opaque 9.72 carat oval golden brown tiger's eye is presented by The Natural Gemstone Company, with precise dimensions of 19.70 x 14.80 x 4.41 mm, cut as a classic cabochon. The piece carries an eye level clarity grade of opaque, with color intensity not applicable due to the characteristic banded nature of this material. The cabochon demonstrates an excellent polish, rendering high surface reflectivity and a silky luster that accentuates the parallel fibrous structure. No enhancements have been applied, and the provenance is South Africa, a well known source for high quality tiger's eye formed by silica replacement of amphibole fibers. The weight to dimension relationship yields a substantial feel in hand, and the oval outline has been proportioned to balance long axis visual presence with appropriate dome height to support pronounced chatoyancy.

From a lapidary perspective this specimen illustrates advanced cutting decisions made to maximize optical effect. The 4.41 mm height relative to the 14.80 mm width provides a dome ratio near three tenths, which is well suited to produce a single sharp chatoyant band when light is directed across the long axis. The cutter appears to have oriented the parallel pseudomorphic fibers along the long axis of the oval to produce continuous, linear banding rather than interrupted or patchy reflection. The cabochon profile is symmetrical with gradual shoulders leading to a well centered apex, which prevents distortion of the band under typical viewing angles. The golden brown palette displays a range of honey to deep brown tones in layered striations, and the excellent polish has been achieved using progressively finer abrasives to remove micro scratches and to enhance the silk like reflection from the fibrous surfaces. The absence of enhancement confirms natural coloration derived from iron staining of the former crocidolite fibers, and the structural opacity is consistent with tightly packed fibrous aggregates typical of tiger's eye.

Practical considerations for setting, wear, and display are important for buyers who appreciate technical details. With a Mohs hardness near seven and a specific gravity around 2.65, this cabochon is robust enough for ring use when properly protected, yet its cabochon dome will benefit from a bezel setting to shield the girdle and minimize edge chipping during daily wear. To display the chatoyancy to best effect mount the stone so that the long axis aligns with the primary light direction, and view the piece under a single directional light source to produce the characteristic moving band. Cleaning with warm soapy water and a soft cloth is recommended, while strong acids, prolonged heat, and ultrasonic cleaners should be avoided to preserve the surface polish and natural iron derived tones. As with all natural gemstones supplied by The Natural Gemstone Company this tiger's eye comes with full disclosure on origin and treatment, and the piece is particularly well suited for collectors and designers who prioritize natural optical phenomena and traditional lapidary craftsmanship in medium sized cabochons.