mineral
Tiger's Eye
Quartzo-fibrous crocidolite (SiO2 with inclusions of FeOOH)
Hardness: 7 Mohs; Color: Golden yellow to brown with chatoyant stripes; Luster: Silky; Crystal structure: Trigonal (fibrous); Cleavage: None; Specific gravity: 2.64-2.71
- Hardness
- 7 Mohs
- Color
- Golden yellow to brown with chatoyant stripes
- Luster
- Silky
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 Mohs; Color: Golden yellow to brown with chatoyant stripes; Luster: Silky; Crystal structure: Trigonal (fibrous); Cleavage: None; Specific gravity: 2.64-2.71
Formation & geological history
Formed when quartz replaces parallel fibers of crocidolite asbestos through a pseudomorphosis process, typically in metamorphic environments like the iron formations of South Africa and Western Australia.
Uses & applications
Commonly used in jewelry (cabochons, beads), decorative carvings, and as a popular collector's gemstone due to its chatoyancy.
Geological facts
Tiger's eye demonstrates a phenomenon called chatoyancy, the 'cat-eye effect,' where light reflects off the fibrous inclusions to create a shimmering band that moves as the stone is turned.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its distinctive silky luster and vertical fibrous structure that creates shifting light bands. Major deposits are found in the Griqualand West region of South Africa.
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