Tiger Iron

Tiger Iron is a tiger-eye-rich, banded iron–silica rock valued for golden-brown to bronze bands alternating with dark grey, black or metallic-looking iron-rich layers. Some material also contains red-brown silica-rich layers. Straight, wavy or folded patterns and local cat’s-eye effects vary with the original rock and the direction of the cut.

Polishing brings out the contrast between the bands and can reveal moving light within tiger-eye-rich areas. Different layers may respond differently during carving and finishing, while their orientation determines how the pattern travels across the sculpture. Natural seams and mineral boundaries give each piece its own structure and appearance.