Tiger Iron, the Mystery

    Tiger Iron is a misunderstood gemstone and often mistaken for Tiger’s Eye, with it’s hues of blackish blue, golden yellow and deep red. However, Tiger Iron is composed of 2 billon year old sedimentary deposits comprised of three other gemstones; tiger’s eye, red jasper and black hematite. The rippled wavy bands of color often resemble beautiful scenic views, giving luster hue effects in the polished gemstones.

    Tiger Iron in its own right is an actual gemstone with its own properties, but is a combination of other stones as well; ultimately it is a member of the quartz family. It has been mined in such places as England, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, and even the Lake Superior Region of the United States.

    One such form of tiger iron is Marra Mamba, found in one are of Australia near Mount Brockman. It is very rare type of tiger iron and contains shades of red, green, yellow, and blue. The area has been mined out for many years so very little of the ‘true’ Marra Mamba is available today.

    Physical Properties
    As a banded mineral composed of tiger eye, red jasper and hematite, tiger iron stimulates the vitality and enhances the immune systems. It strengthens force of will and courage and can be quickly utilized as a protective shield. This is an especially strong stone, which brings to mind the saying "Be careful what you wish for".

    Healing Properties
    Tiger Iron is considered an important healing gemstone as it combines the healing properties of Hematite (pain), Red Jasper (heart/circulation) and Tiger Eye, which stimulates energy production. In addition, it is considered a stable healing stone, which rarely needs cleansing.


    In this design I have paired the three colors of red, blue, yellow/gold together. I then accented the necklace by wire wrapping each stone in non-tarnish gold wire. The earrings dangle with the same matching pieces and wire wrap.


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