Gemstone of the Month 2023: Tiger Iron
German version here
The year begins with peaceful silence. Nature is at rest, while we humans start the new year with all kinds of plans and good intentions. In the course of the coming weeks and months, we will come to crossroads and junctions that demand a decision from us again and again. Much seems to be possible and achievable if we choose the right path.
Tiger Iron is the ideal power stone for an energetic start into the new year. The dark brown stone supports the departure to new goals and, on the way to new projects, to maintain the necessary distance to things. Difficulties can so doing be overcome and pragmatic solutions can be implemented speedily. Perseverance and vitality are strengthened, so that decisive action is made easier.
Scientific Profile
Chemical Formula: SiO2 (Tiger Eye, Jasper components), Fe2O3 (Hematite)
Mineral Class: Oxides
Color: rusty red to brown with banding (depending on location)
Crystal System: trigonal
Mohs Hardness: 6.5 to 7
Fissility: not cleavable, fibrous fracture
Occurrence: South Africa, Australia
Formation: by metamorphic processes of mostly limonite and quartz containing layered structure of hematite with jasper, tiger eye or other components
Appearance: usually clearly distinguishable layers of the various components; coarse chunks
Availability: good from South Africa, rarity from Australia
Tumbled stones and other articles from tiger iron here in our wholesale shop
Composition and Locations
Depending on where it is found, tiger iron has a different composition - there is no clear mineralogical definition.
The silver bands are hematite, an undisputed component of tiger iron. Furthermore, red and yellow jasper, tiger eye or tiger eye quartz (tiger eye with a high quartz content), magnetite and chert (hornstone) may be present.
African tiger iron is the name given to material from the Balloch mine in the province of the Northern Cape in South Africa. In addition to the the gray-silver hematite bands, the large areas with tiger eye are typical.
From the Pilbara region in Western Australia comes tiger iron, which consists mainly of hematite with stripes of yellow and red jasper. Raw material from this location has meanwhile become very rare.
Name and Synonyms
The brown bands of tiger eye and the silver-gray areas of hematite give it its name. A meanwhile uncommon synonym is itabirite and occasionally tiger iron is also called tigerite. Michael Gienger also referred to tiger iron as "tiger in the tank".
Tumbled stones and more articles made of tiger iron can be found here in our webshop.
Treatment and Effects
When changes are unavoidable, modern crystal healing uses tiger iron to provide the necessary inspiration. It becomes clear which ideas and conceptions have already been completed, but not yet let go of. With the power of tiger iron, closure can be reached
allowing a new beginning to be started.
If obstacles arise in the initial phase of projects, tiger iron helps to overcome them and to continue to persevere. Hurdles can be overcome with impetus and vigor! The focus is on finding pragmatic and simple solutions which are then also implemented
quickly.
Tiger iron is usually worn as jewelry with direct skin contact or used as a worry stone.
Significance in Crystal Healing
Tiger iron is used to produce gemstone water with the test tube method or induction withs a crystal. This is often drunk to support the themes of vitality, change and new beginnings.
Being a ferrous stone, tiger iron is used in Gemstone Balance to perform invigorating and energizing treatments. Tiger iron is also used as an activating stone in the reflex zone work of Ewald Kliegel.