metamorphic

Polished tiger’s-eye

Chatoyant quartz (microcrystalline quartz, SiO₂, with fibrous riebeckite/crocidolite pseudomorphs)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; brown, golden, and black banding with silky chatoyancy and a vitreous-to-waxy luster. Massive, non-cleaving, fine-grained structure; the pictured piece appears polished or naturally water-worn.

Identified September 4, 2026More metamorphic →

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 quartz replaces fibrous crocidolite during low-grade metamorphism, preserving aligned fibers that create the cat’s-eye effect. Major deposits formed in Precambrian rocks, especially in South Africa and Western Australia.

Uses & applications

Used for beads, cabochons, carvings, ornaments, and tumbled stones; attractive material is popular in inexpensive jewelry and mineral collections.

Geological facts

Its moving reflective band is caused by aligned internal fibers, not a true crystal cleavage. Golden tiger’s-eye may grade into red mahogany or blue hawk’s-eye varieties.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its chatoyant stripe, hardness, opaque brown-gold color, and parallel bands; common sources include South Africa, Australia, India, Namibia, and the United States. A polished surface and rounded elongated shape indicate lapidary or water-worn treatment.