mineral
Tumbled Tiger's Eye
Silicon dioxide with crocidolite inclusions (SiO2)
Mohs hardness of 7, golden-brown to brown color with a silky to vitreous chatoyant luster, hexagonal crystal system (microcrystalline quartz), specific gravity of 2.64-2.71
Identified More mineral →
Explore Tumbled Tiger's Eye in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Mohs hardness of 7, golden-brown to brown color with a silky to vitreous chatoyant luster, hexagonal crystal system (microcrystalline quartz), specific gravity of 2.64-2.71
Formation & geological history
Formed as quartz replaces crocidolite (blue asbestos) through pseudomorphous replacement, often found in metamorphic rocks with high iron content, primarily originating in South Africa, Australia, and the USA
Uses & applications
Commonly used in ornamental carvings, cabochons for jewelry, and as a popular tumbled stone for crystal healing and mineral collections
Geological facts
Tiger's Eye is well known for its striking chatoyancy (cat's-eye effect), which is caused by parallel fibers of asbestos that have been altered to silica and iron oxides
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its golden-brown color bands and the distinct moving line of light (chatoyancy) across its surface when rotated under a light source
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Soil with Mineral Detritus and Quartz Fragments
Regolith / Silicate Mineral Aggregate
sedimentary
Limonite / Goethite (Iron Ore Mineral nodule)
FeO(OH)·nH2O / FeO(OH)
mineral
Septarian Pebble
Septarian nodule / Concretion
sedimentary
Schist
Schist
Metamorphic
Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase)
Orthoclase (KAlSi3O8)
mineral