Where is Tiger's Eye and Turquoise found?
Tiger's Eye (fibrous chalcedony, a variety of quartz) and Turquoise (hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminium)
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Open the appTiger's Eye and Turquoise 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 and Turquoise
Tiger's Eye: South Africa
The primary source of high-quality Tiger's Eye, particularly in the Griqualand West region.
Tiger's Eye: Australia
Significant deposits found in Western Australia.
Tiger's Eye: India, Myanmar, USA (California)
Other notable occurrences, though generally smaller in scale.
Turquoise: Southwestern United States (Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado)
Historically and currently major producers of high-quality turquoise, often associated with copper mining districts.
Turquoise: Iran (Persia)
Renowned for its 'Persian blue' turquoise, considered among the finest in the world.
Turquoise: China (Hubei province)
A significant producer, with a wide range of colors and qualities.
Turquoise: Egypt (Sinai Peninsula)
Ancient mining sites, dating back thousands of years.
Turquoise: Mexico, Afghanistan, Australia, Chile
Other important sources of turquoise.
Collecting tips
- Tiger's Eye: Look for Chatoyancy. When searching for Tiger's Eye, look for rocks that exhibit a silky, shimmering band of light that moves across the surface as the stone is rotated. This is its most distinctive feature.
- Tiger's Eye: Associated Minerals. Tiger's Eye is often found in association with other quartz varieties and iron-rich metamorphic rocks. Look for areas with evidence of past asbestos mining (though exercise extreme caution due to health risks).
- Turquoise: Arid Environments. Turquoise typically forms in arid or semi-arid regions. Focus your search in areas with altered igneous or metamorphic rocks, particularly those showing signs of copper mineralization (e.g., malachite, azurite stains).
- Turquoise: Veins and Nodules. Turquoise often occurs as thin veinlets filling fractures or as small nodules within the host rock. Look for distinctive blue-green coloration against lighter rock matrices.
- Turquoise: Matrix Inclusions. Many turquoise specimens contain remnants of the host rock, known as matrix. This can be black, brown, or yellowish and often forms attractive patterns (spiderweb matrix).
- Safety Precaution: Tiger's Eye. Raw Tiger's Eye can sometimes contain remnants of crocidolite asbestos. While the quartz replacement process generally renders it safe, it is prudent to avoid inhaling dust from cutting or grinding unpolished specimens. Always wear appropriate respiratory protection when working with raw material.
Quick Check
- Color:
- Tiger's Eye: Golden-brown, yellow, red-brown. Turquoise: Blue, blue-green, green.
- Luster:
- Tiger's Eye: Silky. Turquoise: Waxy to dull.
- Streak:
- Tiger's Eye: White. Turquoise: White to pale blue-green.
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