gemstone
Tiger's Eye
SiO2 (Quartz pseudomorph after crocidolite)
Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale. Color: Golden brown, yellow-brown, with bands of chatoyancy. Luster: Silky to vitreous. Crystal system: Trigonal. Cleavage: None. Specific gravity: 2.64-2.71.
- Hardness
- 7 on the Mohs scale
- Color
- Golden brown, yellow-brown, with bands of chatoyancy
- Luster
- Silky to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale. Color: Golden brown, yellow-brown, with bands of chatoyancy. Luster: Silky to vitreous. Crystal system: Trigonal. Cleavage: None. Specific gravity: 2.64-2.71.
Formation & geological history
Formed when quartz constantly replaces the original mineral crocidolite (blue asbestos) while preserving its fibrous structure, typically occurring in metamorphic environments and sedimentary iron formations.
Uses & applications
Widely used in jewelry making, ornamental carvings, polished cabochons, and as a popular collector's specimen.
Geological facts
Tiger's eye exhibits a distinct optical phenomenon known as chatoyancy, resembling the slit eye of a cat, caused by the parallel arrangement of quartz fibers.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its characteristic golden-brown silky bands and chatoyant shimmer. Commonly found in South Africa, Western Australia, the USA, and India.
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