mineral

Polished tiger’s-eye

Quartz variety, primarily fibrous chalcedony pseudomorph after crocidolite; SiO₂

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 6.5–7 Mohs; golden-brown to reddish-brown chatoyant bands, vitreous-to-silky luster, opaque, with no obvious cleavage and conchoidal fracture. The reflective cat’s-eye effect results from aligned fibers.

Identified September 18, 2026More mineral →

Explore Polished tiger’s-eye in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when blue asbestos-like crocidolite fibers are replaced by quartz, commonly during weathering of iron-rich rocks; oxidation produces the brown-gold color. Major deposits are associated with Precambrian rocks near Kuruman, South Africa, and also occur in Australia and India.

Uses & applications

Commonly cut into cabochons, beads, carvings, and tumbled stones for jewelry and ornamental objects; not generally used as a construction material.

Geological facts

Its moving band of light is called chatoyancy, from the French for “cat’s eye.” Redder material is often marketed as “red tiger’s-eye,” though some strongly red examples may be heat-treated.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its silky parallel bands and a narrow reflective stripe that moves when the stone is rotated under a focused light; the pictured polished cabochon strongly matches this appearance. Avoid confusing it with tiger iron or glass imitations.