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 association with banded iron formations (BIFs) or similar iron-rich metamorphic rocks. Prospecting in areas known for BIFs increases the chances of discovery.
2. Identify Chatoyancy. The most distinctive feature is its chatoyancy. Look for a silky luster and a moving band of light when rotating the specimen under a light source. This is crucial for distinguishing it from other minerals.
3. Observe Color and Texture. The characteristic golden-yellow to reddish-brown colors and fibrous texture are key indicators. Hawk's Eye (blue Tiger's Eye) will have a bluish hue.
4. Check Hardness. Tiger's Eye is quartz, so it will scratch glass (Mohs hardness 7). This helps differentiate it from softer fibrous minerals.
5. Safety Precautions (Crocidolite). Tiger's Eye is a pseudomorph after crocidolite, a form of asbestos. While the crocidolite has been replaced by quartz, very fine, unreplaced crocidolite fibers can occasionally be present, especially in raw, unpolished specimens. **Always handle raw Tiger's Eye with caution.** Avoid grinding, cutting, or polishing without proper respiratory protection (e.g., P100 respirator) and wet methods to prevent inhalation of potentially hazardous fibers. Polished Tiger's Eye is generally considered safe as the fibers are encapsulated within the quartz matrix.

Quick Check

Color:

Golden-yellow to reddish-brown (or blue for Hawk's Eye)

Luster:

Silky, chatoyant

Streak:

White

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