Where is Tiger's Eye found?

Tiger's Eye occurs in specific geological environments. Knowing where to look, and in what kind of rock, is the difference between going home empty-handed and finding a great specimen.

Where to find Tiger's Eye

Collecting tips

1. Look for Banded Iron Formations. Tiger's Eye is almost exclusively found in ancient banded iron formations, which are sedimentary rocks rich in iron oxides and chert. These formations are typically Precambrian in age.
2. Identify Fibrous Structures. Even in its raw form, look for a distinct fibrous texture. The chatoyancy might not be as apparent until polished, but the parallel fibers are a key indicator.
3. Observe Color and Luster. The characteristic golden-brown to reddish-brown colors and the silky luster are good initial identifiers. Unoxidized blue varieties (Hawk's Eye) also occur.
4. Safety Precautions (Crocidolite Origin). While the crocidolite asbestos in Tiger's Eye has been completely replaced by quartz, the original formation involved asbestos. When collecting raw, unpolished specimens, especially those that might still contain unreplaced crocidolite or are dusty, exercise extreme caution. Avoid inhaling dust. Wear appropriate respiratory protection (P100 respirator) and eye protection. Wetting the material can help suppress dust. Do not saw, grind, or sand raw material without proper ventilation and personal protective equipment. Polished Tiger's Eye is generally considered safe as the asbestos fibers are encapsulated by quartz.

Quick Check

Color:

Golden-yellow to reddish-brown (oxidized) or blue (unoxidized)

Luster:

Silky to vitreous, with chatoyancy

Streak:

White

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