Hawk Eye stone is a unique and rare gemstone belonging to the quartz family of stones, which has a distinct appearance and several interesting qualities.
It is famed for its distinctive features and can be used for a number of reasons, both physical and metaphysical in nature.
In this article, we will look more specifically at what the Hawk Eye stone is, where it can be found and how it can be distinguished from other stones.
What is a Hawk Eye Stone?
The Hawk Eye stone is a type of naturally occurring gemstone from the quartz family.
It is typically dark in appearance and ranges in color from blue to grey but can be a mixture of the two, and often features a band of lighter color.
It is well known for its distinct, iridescent coloring and the band of light which appears to be reflected off its surface, due to a process known as chatoyancy.
It is typically glassy in luster and translucent.
In terms of metaphysical properties, it is thought to be a deeply intuitive stone related to the opening of the Third Eye chakra.
Where is Hawk Eye stone found?
The stone is found in many places around the world, from Australia to Burma to the United States.
The biggest commercial suppliers of the stone are South Africa, particularly the Northern Cape province, and Thailand, where the rarest forms of the stone are found.
Hawk Eye stone is interesting in its method of composition.
It is a pseudomorph variety of quartz, meaning that it begins life as one mineral and transforms into another over time.
More specifically, it starts out as a crocidolite, a mineral considered to be a form of asbestos.
Over time, quartz is embedded in the crocidolite and eventually overcomes it entirely. In the end, it is transformed completely into Hawk Eye quartz.
How is the Hawk Eye stone identified?
Identifying the Hawk Eye stone is fairly simple, as it has a unique appearance and composition.
In terms of appearance, it has quite a rare color compared with other stones and typically ranges from blue to blue-grey.
Its chatoyancy, the effect of light reflected in a small number of gemstones, is another way to identify the stone by appearance.
The stone also has a distinct composition which can be used to identify it.
Similarly to other quartz, it is composed of silicon dioxide, which makes it distinguishable from other stones.
It also has a fairly high durability rating, standing at approximately 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness.
Which materials can be confused with Hawk Eye stone?
Perhaps the most commonly mistaken stone is Tigers Eye, which is a very similar stone to Hawks eye and is perhaps the better known of the two.
Of the two, it is a much more common stone and so is more widely available.
The major reason they are so similar is that Tigers eye is formed from Hawks eye, so it is easy to see why they are so regularly confused.
Luckily, there are ways to tell distinguish one from the other.
Firstly, they are usually different colors; Hawk Eye ranges in color from blue to grey, while Tigers eye is typically a brown-gold.
Secondly, there are also compositional differences; in the process of formation, Tiger eye gains a lot of iron and so has a lot more in its composition than Hawks eye does.
What is Hawk Eye stone used for?
As is the case with most quartz stones, Hawks eye is a popular, if slightly unusual, choice of stone for jewelry.
Due to its durability, the stone is fairly resistant to daily wear and so it makes the perfect gemstone for jewelry.
While it is not seen often in mainstream jewelry due to its rarity, it can be used for a variety of different jewelry styles.
The stone is also closely linked to spiritual practices including manifestation and meditation.
It is often used in meditation, with some claiming it helps to create a clearer mind and bring clarity to the practice.
It is said to open the mind more thoroughly and minimize stress and anxiety in meditation practices.
What is the meaning of Hawk Eye stone?
The stone has several meanings of different levels; according to some wearers of the stone, this includes ailments both physical and mental in nature.
Some consider the stone to be capable of instilling calmness in the wearer, with some even claiming it is effective at helping to calm anxiety disorders and panic attacks.
There is no evidence that it is truly capable of doing so, although it is interesting to explore in more depth.
In terms of the metaphysical meanings of the stone, it is thought to invite fortune and wealth to the wearer.
Some also believe that it is capable of reflecting negative energies back on wrongdoers, claiming that it has a protective effect on the wearer.
How should Hawk Eye stone be cared for?
As with any gemstone, the Hawks eye should be cared for thoroughly to maintain its quality.
It is a durable stone, capable of standing up to daily wear and tear, and so can be handled regularly.
The best way to care for the stone is cleaning with water, preferably plain, unsalted water to maintain the shine of its surface.
Soaps and detergents are unnecessary and can even be harmful to the stone, as it can be sensitive to acids and chemicals.
There are also things that can be done to increase the quality of the stone.
Typically, it is recommended that jewelry is removed before exercise or excessive movement as it is susceptible to spoiling.
Hawk eye stones should be stored separated from other jewelry and stones to avoid scratching, preferably in a cloth, bag, or box to protect them further.
Summary
Hawk eye stone is an unusual and beautiful quartz gemstone.
It is closely linked with the Tiger eye stone and has a number of distinctive features which make it a popular choice for collectors and wearers alike.
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