metamorphic

Tiger's Eye

Silicified Riebeckite (SiO2 with inclusions)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

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

Identified July 13, 2026More metamorphic →

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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.