Tiger's eye: Difference between revisions

Honey-colored stones have been used to imitate the much higher valued cat's eye [[chrysoberyl]] (cymophane), but the overall effect is unconvincing. Artificial [[optical fiber|fiberoptic]] glass is a common imitation of tiger's eye, and is produced in a wide range of colors. Tiger's Eye mostly comes from [[South Africa]] and East [[Asia]].

 

[[File:tiger iron.jpg|thumb|right|alt="Photograph of the surface of a stone which shows horizontal alternating bands of red and black with a band of golden-colored fibers in a band across the center"|Tiger iron]]

'''Tiger iron''' is an altered [[rock (geology)|rock]] composed chiefly of tiger's eye, red [[jasper]], and black [[hematite]]. The undulating, contrasting bands of color and luster make for an attractive motif, and it is mainly used for jewelry-making and ornamentation. Tiger iron is a popular ornamental material used in a variety of applications, from beads to [[knife]] [[hilt]]s.