metamorphic

Polished tiger’s-eye (likely blue-and-golden tiger’s-eye)

Fibrous quartz, SiO₂, pseudomorphic after crocidolite; varieties include golden tiger’s-eye and hawk’s-eye

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 6.5–7 Mohs; brown, bronze, and dark blue-gray bands with a silky chatoyant sheen, vitreous-to-waxy luster, and no obvious cleavage. The rounded shape indicates a polished or tumbled specimen.

Identified August 19, 2026More metamorphic →

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At a glance

Common name: Polished tiger’s-eye (likely blue-and-golden tiger’s-eye)
Scientific name: Fibrous quartz, SiO₂, pseudomorphic after crocidolite; varieties include golden tiger’s-eye and hawk’s-eye
Category: metamorphic
Identified: August 19, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

Typically $5–$30 for a small polished piece; $30–$150+ for larger, vividly chatoyant, well-patterned specimens.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when quartz replaces asbestos-like crocidolite fibers during low-grade metamorphism, preserving their parallel structure; most commercial material formed in Precambrian rocks of South Africa and Western Australia.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, ornaments, and lapidary specimens; occasionally used as a decorative stone in small architectural objects.

Geological facts

Its moving, cat-eye-like reflection is caused by aligned fibers and is strongest when the stone is cut parallel to them. Blue-gray hawk’s-eye commonly represents an earlier stage of oxidation than golden tiger’s-eye.

Field identification & locations

Identify by chatoyancy, parallel fibrous bands, opaque brown-blue coloration, and quartz-like hardness; it should not fizz in dilute acid. Common sources include South Africa, Western Australia, India, and Brazil.