Mineral

Tiger's Eye

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 6.5-7 Mohs; Color: Golden yellow to deep brown with black banding; Luster: Silky; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (fibrous); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.64-2.71

Hardness: 6
Color: Golden yellow to deep brown with black banding
Luster: Silky

Identified May 9, 2026More mineral →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Hardness: 6.5-7 Mohs; Color: Golden yellow to deep brown with black banding; Luster: Silky; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (fibrous); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.64-2.71

Formation & geological history

Formed through a pseudomorphous process where quartz replaces the fibrous mineral crocidolite (blue asbestos). It is primarily found in metamorphic environments and hydrothermal veins.

Uses & applications

Predominantly used for lapidary purposes, including jewelry (cabochons, beads), decorative carvings, and as a popular specimen for gemstone collectors.

Geological facts

Tiger's eye exhibits a unique optical property called chatoyancy (the 'cat's eye' effect), caused by the reflection of light off the parallel fibers of the underlying mineral structure. It is the planetary stone for Gemini.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its characteristic silky luster and shifting bands of golden light when rotated. It is most famously found in the Griquatown West region of South Africa and the Hamersley Range in Western Australia.