Tigers Eye from South Africa
A finely polished tigers eye sphere with exceptional colour and markings. With the reflection of light this stone also exhibits chatoyance. This optical phenomenon can be seen in several minerals but is best known in chrysoberyl and tigers eye. Chatoyance is the reflection of light off micrscopic fibres or needle-like inclusions within the mineral. The result is what looks like a movable wavy or silky sheen in the patterns of the stone. Chatoyance is as difficult to describe as it is to capture in a photo.
One concern we hear most often regarding this popular variety of quartz is does tigers eye contain asbestos?
The mineral crocidolite which is a variety of asbestos was once present in tigers eye. Over millions of years however it was slowly replaced with silicon dioxide better known as quartz. The danger of asbestos are the microscopic fibres and dust which if inhaled, will become lodged in the lungs. Apart from the fact that any crocidolite that was present has been replaced with quartz, there's no loose fibres in a polished stone nor is there any mineral dust.
Some mineral collectors who have a good understanding of toxic minerals and how to store them correctly, have asbestos as part of their collection. Providing it's stored and handled safely, it poses no risk. Handling asbestos safely means ensuring no dust or fibres can be inhaled.
If you still have concerns regarding the mineral tigers eye containing asbestos, here's what the experts say. Mindat which is the largest mineralogical database online is used by mineralogists and geologists from around the world.
So to answer the question does tigers eye contain asbestsos? The answer is no it doesn't but even if it did (which it doesn't) it would pose no risk in a polished stone.
A genuinely beautiful tigers eye sphere from our exciting collection of rocks and minerals. This piece is standing on a polished hematite ring which is available to buy separately.
