gemstone

Tiger’s-eye bead bracelet

Chatoyant quartz, principally quartz (SiO₂) with pseudomorphic fibrous crocidolite/goethite inclusions

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Polished, rounded beads show golden-brown to dark brown silky chatoyancy, caused by aligned fibers; quartz hardness is about 7 Mohs, vitreous-to-silky luster, no obvious cleavage, and specific gravity near 2.65. The jewelry may also include closely related brown hawk’s-eye or iron-stained quartz.

Identified August 12, 2026More gemstone →

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At a glance

Common name: Tiger’s-eye bead bracelet
Scientific name: Chatoyant quartz, principally quartz (SiO₂) with pseudomorphic fibrous crocidolite/goethite inclusions
Category: gemstone
Identified: August 12, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

Approximately $10–$40 for a typical bracelet; $50–$150 for large beads with vivid, continuous chatoyancy and quality metalwork.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when fibrous blue asbestos (crocidolite) is replaced and oxidized by quartz, producing tiger’s-eye; major deposits occur in Precambrian rocks of South Africa and Western Australia. The beads are human-cut and polished; geological formation is generally associated with ancient metamorphic/hydrothermal alteration.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, and inexpensive ornamental jewelry; it has no major industrial use in this form.

Geological facts

The moving luminous band is called chatoyancy, from the French for “cat’s eye.” Strongly golden material is tiger’s-eye, while blue-gray material is hawk’s-eye.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by rotating the bead under a focused light: a narrow, silky reflective band should move across the surface, unlike ordinary brown glass or plastic. Common sources include South Africa, Western Australia, India, and Brazil.