mineral
Tiger's Eye
Silicon Dioxide (Quartz pseudomorph after crocidolite), SiO2
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale; golden-brown to yellow-brown color with bands of dark brown; silky to chatoyant luster; trigonal crystal system; specific gravity around 2.64 to 2.71.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale; golden-brown to yellow-brown color with bands of dark brown; silky to chatoyant luster; trigonal crystal system; specific gravity around 2.64 to 2.71.
Formation & geological history
Formed when quartz perpetually replaces the fibrous mineral crocidolite (blue asbestos) as it alters, preserving the fibrous structure.
Uses & applications
Widely used in gemstone jewelry, decorative carvings, and as a popular collector's mineral specimen.
Geological facts
Tiger's eye exhibits a unique optical phenomenon called chatoyancy, which gives it a moving cat's-eye reflection reminiscent of a tiger's gaze.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its distinct golden-brown stripes and silky chatoyant sheen when polished; commonly found in South Africa, Western Australia, and the USA.
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