gemstone

Tiger's Eye

Quartz pseudomorph after crocidolite (SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. Colors include golden yellow, brown, and reddish-brown. Exhibits a distinctive chatoyant (silky) luster with a fibrous crystal structure. Specific gravity is around 2.64 to 2.71 with no true cleavage.

Identified July 29, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed when quartz continuously replaces the original mineral crocidolite (blue asbestos) while maintaining its fibrous structure. Found in metamorphic rocks, primarily in South Africa, Australia, India, and the USA.

Uses & applications

Widely used in jewelry, ornamental carvings, beads, and as a popular collector's specimen.

Geological facts

Tiger's eye is a classic example of pseudomorphism, where one mineral is slowly replaced by another while retaining the external shape and internal fibrous texture of the original mineral.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified by its golden-brown color and characteristic cat's-eye sheen (chatoyancy) that shifts across the surface as it moves in the light. Common in lapidary shops and mineral stores.