metamorphic

Polished tiger’s-eye

Quartz-rich tiger’s-eye; mainly SiO₂ with iron oxides and fibrous pseudomorphs after crocidolite

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; polished, opaque golden-brown and dark bands with a glossy luster. Quartz has a trigonal crystal structure; the cabochon shape obscures cleavage and natural texture.

Identified September 30, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; polished, opaque golden-brown and dark bands with a glossy luster. Quartz has a trigonal crystal structure; the cabochon shape obscures cleavage and natural texture.

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica replaces fibrous crocidolite during low-grade alteration, preserving its banded structure; deposits are commonly Precambrian. This appears to be a polished, possibly cut specimen.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, and decorative objects; also collected as a polished ornamental stone.

Geological facts

Tiger’s-eye’s silky bands produce chatoyancy—a shifting, cat-eye-like sheen—though it may be subdued by lighting or orientation.

Field identification & locations

Often identified by golden-brown parallel bands and a moving silky sheen; major sources include South Africa, Australia, and India. The photo alone cannot confirm the exact variety.