mineral

Tiger’s eye

Tiger’s-eye quartz; chiefly SiO₂ with iron-oxide fibers or inclusions

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Golden-brown color with silky luster and chatoyant bands; Mohs hardness 6.5–7. Quartz has a trigonal crystal structure and no cleavage; this rough fragment’s layered appearance is consistent with fibrous chatoyancy.

Identified October 10, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when quartz replaces fibrous crocidolite during alteration, preserving its texture; associated deposits are commonly Precambrian, though the specimen’s age cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Cut and polished for beads, cabochons, carvings, and inexpensive ornamental objects; rarely used as a decorative stone in small construction details.

Geological facts

Its moving, cat’s-eye-like band of reflected light is called chatoyancy.

Field identification & locations

Commonly mined in South Africa and also found in Australia, India, and elsewhere. Look for golden-brown parallel bands and a silky sheen that shifts as the stone is tilted; the pictured piece appears rough or partly fractured.