mineral

Polished tiger’s-eye

Quartz variety, chiefly fibrous quartz (SiO₂), with iron-oxide inclusions

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 6.5–7 Mohs; golden-brown to dark brown, silky chatoyant sheen, vitreous-to-waxy luster, and no obvious cleavage. The parallel fibers produce the characteristic moving “cat’s-eye” band when rotated under light.

Identified August 13, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when crocidolite asbestos fibers in quartz-rich veins are pseudomorphed and replaced by quartz, with iron oxidation creating brown-gold colors. Most commercial material comes from Precambrian rocks of South Africa and Western Australia.

Uses & applications

Commonly cut into cabochons, beads, carvings, and tumbled stones; also used in inexpensive jewelry and ornamental objects. This polished specimen typically has modest collector value.

Geological facts

Tiger’s-eye is a member of the quartz “eye stone” group, alongside blue hawk’s-eye and red tiger’s-eye. Its chatoyancy is strongest when the stone is cut parallel to the fibrous structure.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its glassy hardness, brown-gold chatoyant stripe, and resistance to scratching by steel; it should not fizz in dilute acid. Avoid confusing it with dyed glass or brown jasper, which lack the silky moving band.