Cat’s Eye vs Tiger Eye: Major Differences Explained

 Cat’s Eye and Tiger Eye are two gemstones that often create confusion among buyers. The reason behind this is their similar appearance. But, in reality, they are two completely different gemstones, with different healing powers. A Cat’s Eye is commonly called as Lehsunia, Vaidurya, and Chrysoberyl Cat’s Eye. On the Other hand, the Tiger Eye stone is called chitti stone. In this article, we are going to tell you about the main differences between Cat’s Eye and Tiger Eye gemstones.

What is Cat’s Eye Stone?

Cat’s Eye stone is a precious gemstone which is part of the nine astrological gems called as navratana’s. It is commonly called Lehsunia or Vaidurya. It is one of the most powerful gemstones in Vedic astrology. It is associated with the shadow planet Ketu, also called as serpents tail. Ketu is known to govern spirituality, intuition, and sudden changes in life. This gemstone is famous for showing a unique band of light across its surface. This phenomenon is called chatoyancy. The look of this gemstone resembles the eye of an original cat. Due to this reason, it got its name. It must be noted that cat’s eye stone comes from different mineral types, but the most valuable variety of Cat’s Eye belongs to the Chrysoberyl mineral family. This gemstone is mainly found in Sri Lanka, India, Brazil, and Madagascar. It is believed that Cat’s Eye protects the wearer from negative energies, financial losses, and hidden enemies. It must be noted that, due to its rarity, it commands high prices in the gemstone market.

What is Tiger Eye Stone?

Tiger Eye is a semi-precious gemstone known for its golden-brown color and silky luster. This gemstone is called chitti pathar. It also shows a chatoyancy effect and resembles the Eye of a Tiger. This gemstone is believed to be associated with the planet Sun, and it is also an upratan of a Ruby stone. But many people also wear it for the purpose of fashion rather than astrology. This gemstone belongs to the quartz mineral family. A natural Tiger Eye stone is commonly found and mined in the regions of South Africa, Australia, India, and Namibia. It is believed to enhance the confidence, courage, focus, and emotional balance of the wearer. Due to its warm colors and affordable pricing, Tiger Eye is extensively used in making several types of fashionable rings, bracelets, pendants, and spiritual jewelry.

Appearance and Color Differences

One of the biggest differences between Cat’s Eye and Tiger Eye lies in their appearance and color. Cat’s Eye gemstone is usually found in the color shades varying between honey-yellow, greenish-yellow, gray, or brown. On the other hand, Tiger Eye generally displays golden-brown or reddish-brown shades with soft, silky bands. 

Astrological Importance and Healing Powers

When it comes to astrological effectiveness, a natural Cat’s Eye stone is believed to be more powerful than the tiger eye stone. The reason behind this is that cat’s eye is a precious gem and the main gemstone for Ketu. Due to this reason, it provides powerful astrological effects to the wearer. On the other hand, tiger eye is not a main gemstone for the planet Sun. in fact, it is an alternative stone or upratan. In addition to this, it is also a semi-precious stone; therefore, its astrological effects are also mild.

Durability and Quality

The Cat’s Eye Chrysoberyl and Tiger Eye gemstones are both tough enough for regular wear. Cat’s Eye stone’s hardness on the Mohs scale is around 8.5, while Tiger Eye has an approximate hardness of 6.5 to 7, which is still tough enough for everyday wear but is not as tough as Cat’s Eye.

Price and Value Difference

When it comes to the pricing, the lehsuniya stone is more expensive than the Tiger Eye due to its rarity and strong astrological demand. The price of natural Cat’s Eye stone in India can vary between Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 50,000+ per carat. On the other hand, genuine Tiger Eye is an affordable gemstone. Its price generally ranges from Rs. 100 to Rs. 2,000 per carat. It must be noted that these prices depend on the origin, color, cut, clarity, carat weight and certifications of the gemstones. 

Which Gemstone Should You Choose?

Choosing between Cat’s Eye and Tiger Eye stone depends mainly on your purpose. If you are looking for a powerful astrological gemstone to heal the malefic effects of Ketu, then a natural cat’s eye stone is a better option. But if you want a fashionable gemstone, which is also affordable, then you should go for a tiger eye stone. 

Conclusion

Cat’s Eye, also known as Lehsunia or Vaidurya, is a rare and powerful gemstone. It is believed to be associated with planet Ketu and is mainly worn for astrological benefits. On the other hand, Tiger Eye is a unique gem, which is mainly worn for the purpose of fashion. However, some people also wear it for astrological benefits. Before buying any gemstone, it is important to understand its authenticity, quality, and purpose. You can buy natural gemstones online from RashiRatanBhagya at affordable prices