mineral
Tiger's Eye
Silicon Dioxide (Quartz pseudomorph after crocidolite)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, golden-brown to yellowish-brown color, silky to vitreous luster, and hexagonal crystal system.
Identified More mineral →
Explore Tiger's Eye in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, golden-brown to yellowish-brown color, silky to vitreous luster, and hexagonal crystal system.
Formation & geological history
Formed when quartz concurrently replaces the fibrous mineral crocidolite, preserving its fibrous structure over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used for making polished gemstone beads, cabochons, decorative sculptures, and jewelry.
Geological facts
Tiger's eye exhibits chatoyancy, a distinct optical reflectance effect that creates a moving cat-eye stripe across the polished surface.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its golden-brown color bands and chatoyant light reflection; primarily sourced from South Africa and Western Australia.
