metamorphic
Polished tiger’s-eye cabochon (probable)
Quartz variety, SiO₂, with fibrous riebeckite/crocidolite-derived inclusions
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; brown-golden chatoyant bands, vitreous to silky luster, opaque to translucent, and no obvious cleavage. The rounded, polished cabochon shape enhances its cat’s-eye effect.
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Physical properties
Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; brown-golden chatoyant bands, vitreous to silky luster, opaque to translucent, and no obvious cleavage. The rounded, polished cabochon shape enhances its cat’s-eye effect.
Formation & geological history
Forms when asbestos-like crocidolite fibers are pseudomorphed and silicified by quartz, commonly during low-grade metamorphism. Commercial material is especially associated with the Precambrian formations of South Africa and Western Australia.
Uses & applications
Used for cabochon jewelry, beads, carvings, and ornamental objects; attractive specimens commonly have strong, centered chatoyancy.
Geological facts
Its moving band of reflected light is called chatoyancy and results from aligned fibers. Red-brown material is often called bull’s-eye or red tiger’s-eye, while blue material is hawk’s-eye.
Field identification & locations
Identify it by a silky, mobile light band when rotated under a single light source, brown-gold color, quartz-like hardness, and lack of metallic sparkle. Common sources include South Africa, Western Australia, India, and Brazil.
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