gemstone

Tiger’s-eye cabochon

Tiger’s-eye, a quartz-rich variety of crocidolite pseudomorph (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Small polished brown-gold stone with silky chatoyancy; quartz hardness 7 Mohs, trigonal crystal structure, vitreous-to-silky luster, no prominent cleavage. The image does not permit reliable assessment of authenticity or exact properties.

Identified October 3, 2026More gemstone →

Explore Tiger’s-eye cabochon in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica replaces fibrous crocidolite while preserving its structure; major deposits occur in South Africa and Western Australia. The rock formed in ancient iron-rich settings, commonly associated with Precambrian formations.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, beads, jewelry, and decorative objects; larger rough material is also collected.

Geological facts

Its shifting bright band, called chatoyancy, comes from aligned fibrous structures reflecting light.

Field identification & locations

Identify by the moving golden-brown band as the stone is tilted; common sources include South Africa, Australia, India, and Namibia. This appears to be a polished small specimen, but a photograph alone cannot confirm the material.