mineral
Polished blue tiger’s eye beads
Blue tiger’s eye (hawk’s-eye), fibrous quartz; SiO₂
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness about 7 Mohs; dark blue to blue-gray with silky, reflective chatoyancy and a polished vitreous luster. Microcrystalline quartz preserves a fibrous structure, with no visible cleavage; specific gravity about 2.6–2.7.
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Physical properties
Hardness about 7 Mohs; dark blue to blue-gray with silky, reflective chatoyancy and a polished vitreous luster. Microcrystalline quartz preserves a fibrous structure, with no visible cleavage; specific gravity about 2.6–2.7.
Formation & geological history
Forms when quartz replaces crocidolite fibers during alteration, preserving their aligned texture; geological age varies by deposit. The pictured beads are shaped and polished natural material.
Uses & applications
Used in beads, jewelry, carvings, and decorative objects.
Geological facts
Its moving band of light, called chatoyancy, comes from aligned fibers; blue tiger’s eye is also known as hawk’s-eye.
Field identification & locations
Identify by the blue-gray color and shifting silky band under changing light; major sources include South Africa and Western Australia. Beads are likely drilled and polished, so assess for dye, cracks, and consistent chatoyancy.
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