gemstone

Polished tiger’s-eye cabochon

Chatoyant quartz (SiO₂), typically quartz pseudomorphically replacing crocidolite fibers

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 6.5–7 Mohs; golden-brown to reddish-brown color with a silky, reflective cat’s-eye band (chatoyancy), vitreous-to-silky luster, and no prominent cleavage. The image shows a polished, likely cut-and-shaped piece rather than a raw rock.

Identified September 18, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when fibrous blue asbestos (crocidolite) is replaced by quartz during hydrothermal alteration, commonly in Precambrian metamorphic rocks; major deposits are in South Africa, Western Australia, India, and Namibia.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochon jewelry, beads, carvings, and ornamental objects; not generally used as an industrial aggregate because gem-quality material is valued for its optical effect.

Geological facts

Its moving band of light results from reflection along aligned fibers. Golden tiger’s-eye is related to blue hawk’s-eye, with iron oxidation producing the golden-brown color.

Field identification & locations

Identify by the sharp, mobile chatoyant stripe and fibrous silky appearance; inspect under a flashlight and rotate the stone. Common material is associated with quartzite and iron-rich altered zones.