Rock Identifier
Tiger's Eye (SiO2 (Quartz pseudomorph after crocidolite)) — gemstone
gemstone

Tiger's Eye

SiO2 (Quartz pseudomorph after crocidolite)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, golden-brown to yellow-blue color, silky luster, and trigonal crystal structure with fibrous cleavage.

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Physical properties

Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, golden-brown to yellow-blue color, silky luster, and trigonal crystal structure with fibrous cleavage.

Formation & geological history

Formed when quartz replaces the mineral crocidolite, typically occurring in metamorphic environments over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Widely used in jewelry, decorative carvings, and as a polished collector's stone.

Geological facts

Tiger's eye exhibits chatoyancy, a striking optical reflectance effect resembling a cat's eye.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified by its distinctive golden-brown bands and silky sheen; commonly found in South Africa and Western Australia.