mineral
Tumbled banded stone, likely tiger’s eye
Quartz variety: SiO₂, possibly tiger’s eye; identification is uncertain from the image
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectBrown with darker, wavy bands and a polished, subdued luster. Quartz has Mohs hardness 7 and a trigonal crystal structure; tiger’s eye typically shows silky chatoyancy, which is not clearly visible here.
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Physical properties
Brown with darker, wavy bands and a polished, subdued luster. Quartz has Mohs hardness 7 and a trigonal crystal structure; tiger’s eye typically shows silky chatoyancy, which is not clearly visible here.
Formation & geological history
If tiger’s eye, it formed when quartz replaced fibrous crocidolite during silica-rich alteration, commonly in iron-rich rocks; its age depends on the deposit.
Uses & applications
Tumbled stones are used for jewelry, ornaments, and collecting; tiger’s eye is also cut into cabochons and beads.
Geological facts
Tiger’s eye’s distinctive moving “cat’s-eye” sheen comes from aligned fibers and light reflection.
Field identification & locations
Check for a shifting silky band under a moving light and hardness near 7; common sources include South Africa, Australia, and India. The photo alone cannot confirm the stone or its geological classification.
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