This listing is for a rough slab of Tiger Iron, 100% natural. It can be used for lapidary to make cabochons or as a display specimen.

Details:

• gemstone: Tiger Iron
• color: yellow, red, silver, brown
• dimensions:  approx 3.75 × 1.5 inches
• thickness: approx 1/4 inch
• weight: 76.04 g

The measurements provided are at the widest part and are close approximations.  The piece(s) shown in the pictures is what will be shipped to you.

Some pictures are taken with the stone wet while others are dry.  These are rough, not polished pieces.

Tiger iron is a dense, layered metamorphic rock composed of alternating bands of golden tiger's eye, red jasper, and dark metallic hematite.

Key Characteristics

• Composition: A type of banded iron formation (BIF) formed roughly 1.8 to 3.02 billion years ago during the Precambrian era.
• Origin: Primarily mined and collected in Western Australia (such as the Ord Ranges), as well as parts of South Africa.
• Appearance: Features striking stripes of red, gold, brown, and silver/black with chatoyant (cat's-eye) shimmers from the tiger's eye layers.
• Hardness & Care: Ranks around 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, though it should be kept dry because the hematite content can rust or dull with prolonged water exposure.
• Alternative Names: Occasionally called mugglestone in crystal and metaphysical communities.

This is what Kelly from AZ had to say about our Tigers Eye rough: AAA+++ SELLER! beautiful, exactly as pictured, fast shipping! Thank you

If you’ll be displaying the slab in your collection, we have easel stands which can be purchased separately.  We have 2″ and 3″ ones available.

  Click here for easel stands

If you have any questions, please contact us.

Thank You

Tim & Tonya Daniels

Safety Advisory (California Proposition 65):

While completely safe to display on a shelf or wear as finished pieces, many raw mineral specimens naturally contain toxic elements, heavy metals, or glass-like structures (such as copper, arsenic, lead, or silica). To ensure your safety, please follow these responsible ownership and lapidary protocols:

• Basic Handling: Always wash your hands immediately after touching raw minerals and never ingest minerals.

• Lapidary Safety: When cutting or drilling, always use specialized safety equipment, including wet-cutting machinery, proper ventilation, and appropriate respirators or masks to avoid inhaling toxic dust or fumes.

Normal Handling and Daily Care

• Everyday Contact: Safe to touch, display, or wear as jewelry. It is good practice to wash your hands after handling raw minerals.
• Water Exposure: Tolerates brief contact with water, though you should dry it promptly to protect any metallic luster or surrounding settings.
• Cleaning: Use a soft, damp cloth with mild soap if needed. Avoid harsh household chemicals like bleach, ammonia, or acidic cleaners.
• Storage: Keep it in a soft pouch or velvet-lined box to prevent the rough stone from scratching softer objects or collecting damaging dust.

Cutting, Grinding, and Lapidary Work Precautions

If you are shaping, cutting, grinding, or polishing raw tiger iron, specific physical hazards require strict safety measures:
• Silica Dust: Like other quartz-rich stones, dry cutting or grinding generates fine silica dust that can harm your lungs if inhaled. Always work wet (using a continuous stream of water to suppress dust) and wear a properly fitted respirator that seals tightly to your face.
• Asbestos Concerns: Tiger's eye (one component of tiger iron) is formed from altered mineral fibers. While the fibrous material is typically silicified or encapsulated during formation, creating airborne dust through dry grinding or industrial-scale cutting should be strictly avoided.
• Cleanup: Never use compressed air or dry sweeping to clean up lapidary dust; wipe surfaces down with a damp rag instead.