Tiger Iron is almost exclusively valued as a decorative gemstone. Its rich and striking beauty is created by three gemstones that nature has combined to create tiger iron. Tiger’s eye, hematite and jasper exist in layers to form this composite gemstone.

Ironstone is plentiful and accessible. Hematite is ironstone that can be very shiny and highly polished for artistic and cultural purposes. It is usually grey colored, although surface oxidation sometimes gives it a brownish hue.

Tiger Eye is natural asbestos. During volcanic events, the fibrous asbestos is replaced by iron-bearing quartz called limonite. This is what creates the dazzling golden luminous eye of the tiger that provides such elegant beauty in tiger eye gemstone. Golden brown tiger eye is most common. However, there is also a blue version know as hawk eye or falcon’s eye, red tiger eye and of course tiger iron which is made up of three gemstone crystals combined into one.

The glamour of tiger iron gemstone is created by what is known as “cat’s eye”. It is an optical reflectance that gives a sense of depth, shape and shine between the fibrous layers of crystal.   In order for cat eye to occur in a gemstone, it must be cut in cabochon style. This requires the stone be cut so the fibrous crystal layers are parallel to the base of the polished gemstone. Many fine examples of this affect can be seen in elegant tiger eye gemstone at jewelry shop.

Besides being elegant and beautiful, both ancient and modern people relate tiger iron to chakras.  It is believed to provide emotional clarity.  Tiger eye enhances personal creative forces. Those who try to harness the forces of chakra will hold a tiger iron gemstone in there hand and breath deeply to become re-grounded, centered, balanced, peaceful and focused.

The creative beauty, cultural and biological presence of tiger eye/iron jewelry and other tiger iron art objects can certainly bring pleasure, presence and satisfaction to the bearer.

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ABOUT THOSE CRYSTALS AND GEMSTONES…… Yes, I’m always been fascinated by their beauty and shapes whose origins I could not begin to understand or explain.  I keep some as a house decoration, though only the small pieces were affordable as they were quite expensive.

My little collection

I was amazed with the Silver Needle Look formed inside.

 

 My favorite, a Crystal cut into a shape of a Pyramid

 

 Monkey & Tortoise carved Carnelian

I bought the Monkey Carved Carnelian just to remind me that I was born in a year of a Monkey in a Chinese calendar.  

BUT WHY THE TORTOISE…. I will tell you about that in next episode (plus Malay version).

GEMSTONES – SOME PRECIOUS AND SOME SEMI-PRECIOUS are treasured for their beauty, rarity and durability.  These days if you visit a Crystal Shop you will find lots of them like the Amethyst, Crystal, Turquoise, Agate, Ruby, Tiger eye, Citrine, Lapis Lazuli, Rose Quartz, Rutile, Sunstone, Topaz and lots more, turned into beautiful jewels like bracelet, rings, earring, necklace and they are quite popular and trendy too.  I have some to go along with my dress… here they are though not all of them….

 Tourmaline

                                                                                                   Chrysoprace

 Agate

 Citrine

 Ruby Zoisite

Amethyst

GEMSTONES – CULTURAL CONNECTIONS…. I have came across a book saying that the Japanese have the highest respect for Rock Crystal, which they consider to be the symbol for perfection and purity, and Japanese craftsmen have produced crystal ball (and highly prize) for centuries.  The Japanese believe that the dragon is the supreme creative power and early thought was that rock crystal was formed from the condensation of the dragon’s breath.  The Chinese believe that all natural things have an animate spirit of their own.  Jade is their symbol of the virtues of mercy, modesty, courage, justice and wisdom.  In Europe crystal gazing was used as an aid to foreseeing future.

GEMSTONES – WITH MAGICAL AND HEALING POWER… Many books described about the healing power of gemstones.  Such as Amethyst protect from drunkenness and cure blood disease, burns and color blindness, while Carnelian cures blood poisoning, fever and infection and so much more to other of the Gemstones.Whatever one’s belief, it is certain that the beauty and appeal of gemstone will endure, to be celebrated by poets, depicted by artists and studied by scientists.  They have defied the passage of time and will surely continue to fascinate future generations.

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