Tigers Eye Tumbled Stones Medium Sizes

Some of the world's finest tigers eye comes from Griqualand West in the Northern Cape, South Africa.

This popular mineral is well known for being chatoyant.  The word which comes from French for 'cat's eye' is a description of the way light interacts with fibres within the stone.  This optical phenomenon can be seen in other rocks and minerals but is best known in tigers eye.

Tigers eye contains quartz and crocidolite which is a type of asbestos.  When people learn tigers eye contains asbestos it tends to cause panic.  The crocidolite is fossilised deep within the quartz so poses no risk at all.

The danger from asbestos comes from its microscopic fibres which if inhaled, become trapped in the lungs.  For this to happen they must first break away and become airborne.

For a really good understanding of the structure of tigers eye read our article in which we clearly explain the presence of asbestos in this stone. 

The chatoyance in tigers eye is dependant on the orientation of the crocidolite fibres. With the reflection of light, colours and markings can appear to move.

These fine grade tigers eye tumbled stones are a medium sized stone.  Size does vary from piece to piece. 

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