mineral
Tiger's Eye
Silicon dioxide with crocidolite inclusions (SiO2)
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, golden to brown-yellow color, silky luster, microcrystalline quartz structure with fibrous chatoyancy, specific gravity of 2.64 to 2.71.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, golden to brown-yellow color, silky luster, microcrystalline quartz structure with fibrous chatoyancy, specific gravity of 2.64 to 2.71.
Formation & geological history
Formed when quartz prematurely replaces crocidolite (blue asbestos) fibers, preserving their fibrous structure while oxidizing the iron, resulting in the golden-brown color. Found in metamorphic rocks.
Uses & applications
Widely used in ornamental carvings, cabochons for jewelry, and as a popular collector's mineral.
Geological facts
Tiger's eye exhibits chatoyancy, an optical reflectance effect that creates a moving band of light reminiscent of a cat's eye as the stone is rotated.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its distinctive golden-brown stripes and silky chatoyant sheen. Major deposits are found in South Africa, Western Australia, India, and the USA.
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