Brown Beads

Frequently asked questions

• What brown gemstone beads do you carry?

  Brown Agate and DZI Agate together dominate the collection — both natural with distinctive banding. Tiger Eye adds chatoyant golden-brown shimmer; Petrified Wood adds fossilized texture. Picasso Jasper, Botswana Agate, Bronzite, and Artistic Jasper provide patterned variety. Pearl appears in champagne-brown ranges at the organic end.
• What is DZI agate and is it real?

  DZI Agate (pronounced 'zee') is real natural agate that has been etched and dyed with traditional patterns originating in Tibetan and Himalayan cultures. The patterns (eyes, lines, geometric symbols) carry cultural and spiritual significance in their region of origin. The agate base is natural; the surface patterning is applied — most commercial DZI is contemporary production rather than antique. Disclosure of treatment is appropriate.
• What causes tiger eye to shimmer?

  Chatoyancy — an optical effect caused by parallel fibrous mineral inclusions (typically crocidolite asbestos that has been silicified) reflecting light along a single axis. The result is a moving band of light that shifts with viewing angle, similar to the slit-pupil eye of a cat. Tiger Eye's golden-brown base is iron-oxide-stained; Blue Tiger Eye (Hawk's Eye) retains the original crocidolite color before silicification.
• Are any brown gemstones birthstones?

  Brown stones are not on the modern Jewelers of America birthstone list. Smoky Quartz is sometimes used as an alternate November birthstone alongside Citrine and Topaz. Tiger Eye and Petrified Wood are commonly used in 'earth element' or grounding-themed jewelry traditions.
• Will tiger eye fade over time?

  No — Tiger Eye is color-stable under normal wear and storage conditions. The chatoyant effect is an internal structural feature, not a surface treatment, so it does not wear off. Mohs 6.5–7. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners (the parallel fiber structure can be sensitive to vibration); a soft cloth and mild soap are sufficient for routine cleaning.