Mineral

Pietersite

Silicolite (brecciated tiger's eye with hawk's eye)

Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale. Color: mixed blues, golds, reds, and browns. Luster: silky or vitreous. Crystal structure: trigonal. It exhibits chatoyancy (cat's eye effect).

Hardness: 6
Color: mixed blues, golds, reds, and browns
Luster: silky or vitreous

Identified June 18, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale. Color: mixed blues, golds, reds, and browns. Luster: silky or vitreous. Crystal structure: trigonal. It exhibits chatoyancy (cat's eye effect).

Formation & geological history

Formed by the folding, faulting, and brecciation of tiger's eye and hawk's eye, which are pseudomorphs of quartz after crocidolite asbestos.

Uses & applications

Primarily used as a gemstone in jewelry, especially for cabochons and pendants. Also a popular collector's stone.

Geological facts

Discovered by Sid Pieters in 1962 in Namibia. Sometimes referred to as the 'Tempest Stone' due to its stormy appearance.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its chaotic chatoyancy and swirling mix of colors. True pietersite is found mostly in Namibia and China.

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