mineral

Tiger's Eye (Small Polished Bead)

Pseudomorph of Quartz after Crocidolite (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 Mohs; Color: Golden brown to reddish-brown with silky luster; Structure: Trigonal/Fibrous; Chatoyancy (cat's eye effect); Specific gravity: 2.64-2.71.

Hardness: 7 Mohs
Color: Golden brown to reddish-brown with silky luster

Identified February 27, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 Mohs; Color: Golden brown to reddish-brown with silky luster; Structure: Trigonal/Fibrous; Chatoyancy (cat's eye effect); Specific gravity: 2.64-2.71.

Formation & geological history

Formed through the replacement of fibrous crocidolite (asbestos) by silica (quartz) while maintaining the original fibrous structure. Primarily found in Precambrian iron formations.

Uses & applications

Mainly used for jewelry (beads, cabochons), ornamental carvings, and holistic collecting. Highly valued for its optical 'chatoyancy'.

Geological facts

It is a pseudomorph, meaning one mineral has replaced another without changing the external form. If the iron is oxidized to a specific degree through heat, it turns red (Red Tiger's Eye).

Field identification & locations

Identify by its distinctive silky luster and bands of color that shift when the stone is rotated under light. Commonly found in South Africa, Western Australia, and Namibia.

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