mineral
Red Tiger's Eye
Silicon Dioxide with Iron Oxides (Quartz variety, SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectMohs hardness of 7; gold-red to reddish-brown color with chatoyant (silky) luster; hexagonal crystal system with fibrous structure.
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Physical properties
Mohs hardness of 7; gold-red to reddish-brown color with chatoyant (silky) luster; hexagonal crystal system with fibrous structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed as a pseudomorph when quartz replaces crocidolite asbestos, with iron oxidation causing the red coloration.
Uses & applications
Widely used in tumbled stones, cabochons for jewelry, and ornamental carvings.
Geological facts
Red tiger's eye is a naturally heat-treated or naturally oxidized variant of standard golden-brown tiger's eye.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its distinct chatoyancy (cat's eye effect) shifting across the reddish surface; mined primarily in South Africa and Australia.
