Where is Turquoise and Tiger's Eye found?
Turquoise (CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8·4H2O) and Tiger's Eye (fibrous crocidolite replaced by chalcedony)
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Open the appTurquoise and 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 Turquoise and Tiger's Eye
Turquoise: Southwestern United States (Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico)
Historically significant deposits, particularly in Arizona (Sleeping Beauty, Kingman mines) and Nevada (Lander Blue, Carico Lake).
Turquoise: Iran (Persia)
Nishapur district, renowned for its high-quality, intense blue 'Persian Turquoise'.
Turquoise: China (Hubei province)
Significant producer of various qualities of turquoise.
Turquoise: Egypt (Sinai Peninsula)
Ancient mines, particularly Serabit el-Khadim and Wadi Maghareh.
Tiger's Eye: South Africa (Griqualand West)
The primary and most significant source of high-quality Tiger's Eye.
Tiger's Eye: Australia (Western Australia)
Notable deposits, often associated with banded iron formations.
Tiger's Eye: India, Myanmar, Namibia, United States (California)
Smaller deposits and occurrences.
Collecting tips
- Turquoise: Look for host rock. Turquoise is typically found in veins, nodules, or crusts within altered igneous or sedimentary rocks, often associated with limonite or other iron oxides.
- Turquoise: Color and matrix. High-quality turquoise has an even, intense blue color. The presence of a 'matrix' (host rock inclusions, often black or brown limonite) can be a distinguishing feature, sometimes enhancing its aesthetic appeal.
- Tiger's Eye: Identify chatoyancy. The most distinctive feature is the silky, shifting band of light (chatoyancy) that moves across the surface when the stone is rotated. This is due to the parallel fibrous structure.
- Tiger's Eye: Observe color variations. Tiger's Eye typically exhibits golden-yellow to reddish-brown hues. Blue varieties (Hawk's Eye) are less oxidized. Red Tiger's Eye is often heat-treated.
- Safety Warning for Tiger's Eye (Crocidolite Origin). Tiger's Eye is a pseudomorph of quartz after crocidolite asbestos. While the asbestos has been completely replaced by quartz and is no longer in its fibrous, hazardous form, it is crucial to understand its origin. Intact, polished Tiger's Eye is generally considered safe to handle. However, avoid grinding, cutting, or polishing raw, un-silicified crocidolite or even raw Tiger's Eye without proper respiratory protection, as this could release microscopic silica dust or residual asbestos fibers (though highly unlikely in fully silicified material). Always err on the side of caution with any material derived from asbestos.
Quick Check
- Color:
- Turquoise: Blue to green. Tiger's Eye: Golden-brown, yellow, red-brown, blue.
- Luster:
- Turquoise: Waxy to subvitreous. Tiger's Eye: Silky, chatoyant.
- Streak:
- Turquoise: White to pale blue-green. Tiger's Eye: Yellowish-brown.
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