Tiger iron

Tiger iron refers to a rock that combines hematite, jasper and tiger eye in layers. The term refers to the banded-striped pattern of the stone. Synonyms are itabirite and tigerite. Large deposits of tiger iron are found in Australia.

The jasper in tiger iron is red, reddish brown to yellowish brown, the tiger eye is golden yellow to yellowish brown. As a raw stone, however, tiger iron is rust red.


All 3 minerals belong to the mineral class of oxides
Formula: Fe2O3 (haematite) + (SiO2 + Fe,O,OH) (jasper) + (SiO2 + FeOOH) (tiger's eye) + Al,Mg,Na.

Mohs hardness: 6,5 - 7
Density: 3,4 - 4,6
cleavage: none, uneven fracture
Stroke colour: rust red to brown
Transparency: opaque

Healing properties
Vitality, mental stamina, helps against tiredness, exhaustion