metamorphic
Tiger's Eye
Silicified Riebeckite (SiO2 with inclusions)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs); Color: Golden-brown to yellow with dark bands; Luster: Silky to vitreous; Crystal structure: Hexagonal (trigonal) as a pseudomorph; Chatoyant effect (cat's eye appearance).
- Hardness
- 7 (Mohs)
- Color
- Golden-brown to yellow with dark bands
- Luster
- Silky to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs); Color: Golden-brown to yellow with dark bands; Luster: Silky to vitreous; Crystal structure: Hexagonal (trigonal) as a pseudomorph; Chatoyant effect (cat's eye appearance).
Formation & geological history
Forms through the pseudomorphism of crocidolite asbestos by quartz. Silica-rich fluids replace the fibrous crocidolite minerals while maintaining the fibrous structure, creating chatoyancy. Most deposits are billions of years old from Precambrian iron formations.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in jewelry (cabochons, beads), decorative carvings, pocket stones, and as a popular collector's mineral.
Geological facts
Tiger's Eye is a 'pseudomorph', meaning one mineral has replaced another while retaining the original mineral's shape. The golden color comes from iron oxide (limonite) trapped within the quartz fibers.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its distinctive golden-brown luster and moving bands of light (chatoyancy) when rotated. Commonly found in South Africa, Western Australia, and India. Look for parallel fibrous textures under a polished surface.
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