mineral
Tiger’s-eye rough
Quartz (SiO₂) with fibrous crocidolite-derived inclusions
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectGolden-brown silky luster with parallel chatoyant bands and darker bluish-gray areas; Mohs hardness 7, trigonal quartz structure, no distinct cleavage, specific gravity about 2.6–2.7. The specimen appears rough and partly weathered; exact identification is uncertain from the image alone.
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Physical properties
Golden-brown silky luster with parallel chatoyant bands and darker bluish-gray areas; Mohs hardness 7, trigonal quartz structure, no distinct cleavage, specific gravity about 2.6–2.7. The specimen appears rough and partly weathered; exact identification is uncertain from the image alone.
Formation & geological history
Forms when silica replaces and preserves fibrous crocidolite during alteration, producing the characteristic banding; associated deposits are commonly Precambrian.
Uses & applications
Cut and polished for cabochons, beads, carvings, and decorative objects; also collected as a rough specimen.
Geological facts
Its moving, cat’s-eye-like sheen is called chatoyancy and is strongest when cut across the aligned fibers.
Field identification & locations
Look for golden-brown parallel bands and a silky light band that shifts with viewing angle; major sources include South Africa, Australia, and India.
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