12.7" Polished Tiger Iron "Stromatolite" Slab - 3.02 Billion Years

Polished Tiger Iron Stromatolite Slab - Billion Years #161894

This is a gorgeous 12.7" wide polished slab of a 3.02 billion year old tiger collected from the Ord Ranges in Western Australia. Tiger Iron is a banded structure of Tigers Eye, Red Jasper, and Hematite. One theory is that tiger iron is a typical stromatolite that has undergone mineral replacement with iron oxide. Another is that the microbes formed the banded iron directly while the stromatolite was being formed. Yet another is that was formed indirectly by stromatolites when the oxygen they produced mixed with iron produced by submarine volcanoes precipitating bands of iron oxide. Either way this tiger iron is gorgeous to look at and even more impressive when you consider that it is evidence of life on earth several billion years ago.

This specimen includes an acrylic display stand.

About Stromatolites

Stromatolites are fascinating, ancient rock formations created by the activity of cyanobacteria and other microorganisms. These layered, mound-like structures represent some of the earliest evidence of life on Earth, dating back over 3.5 billion years. Often found in shallow, warm waters, stromatolites form as layers of sediment and minerals are trapped and bound by microbial mats, gradually building up over time into unique, textured shapes.

Visually, stromatolites can range from smooth, rounded forms to intricate, banded structures, with colors that span earthy reds, browns, greens, and grays. Each layer captures a record of environmental conditions at the time of its formation, making stromatolites an invaluable source of information for scientists studying Earth’s early history and the origins of life.

Today, fossilized stromatolites are highly prized by collectors, both for their scientific significance and their natural beauty. Some living stromatolites can still be found in a few rare locations around the world, such as Shark Bay in Australia and certain alkaline lakes.