gemstone
Polished tiger’s-eye
Quartz variety with fibrous crocidolite-derived inclusions; chiefly SiO₂
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectGolden-brown, silky chatoyant banding and vitreous luster; Mohs hardness 7, trigonal quartz structure, no cleavage. The image is blurry, so identification is based on the golden-brown sheen and appearance.
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Physical properties
Golden-brown, silky chatoyant banding and vitreous luster; Mohs hardness 7, trigonal quartz structure, no cleavage. The image is blurry, so identification is based on the golden-brown sheen and appearance.
Formation & geological history
Forms when silica replaces fibrous crocidolite during alteration, preserving its fibers and producing chatoyancy. Major deposits occur in South Africa and Western Australia; the specimen’s age cannot be determined from the image.
Uses & applications
Used in beads, cabochons, carvings, and ornamental objects; also collected as a decorative gemstone.
Geological facts
Its moving, cat’s-eye-like band of light is called chatoyancy, from a French term meaning “cat’s eye.”
Field identification & locations
Look for parallel golden-brown bands and a narrow bright sheen that shifts as the stone moves; common sources include South Africa, Australia, and India.
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