mineral

Tiger’s-eye

Quartz (SiO₂) with fibrous crocidolite-derived inclusions

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Golden-brown bands with a silky, shifting chatoyant sheen; vitreous luster, hardness 7 Mohs, trigonal crystal structure, no prominent cleavage. The rough fragment’s appearance is consistent with tiger’s-eye, though identification from the image alone is not definitive.

Identified October 16, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica replaces fibrous crocidolite during alteration, preserving its structure and producing chatoyancy. Deposits are chiefly Proterozoic in age, especially in South Africa and Western Australia.

Uses & applications

Polished tiger’s-eye is used in jewelry, beads, carvings, and decorative objects; this rough piece is primarily a collector specimen.

Geological facts

Its moving band of reflected light is called chatoyancy, from the French for “cat’s eye.”

Field identification & locations

Look for parallel golden-brown bands and a bright reflective stripe that shifts as the specimen moves. Common sources include South Africa, Australia, India, and Namibia.