metamorphic

Tumbled tiger’s-eye-rich metamorphic stone

Tiger’s eye: fibrous quartz (SiO₂), commonly intergrown with crocidolite pseudomorphs; possibly mixed with dark iron-rich matrix

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; brown-gold and black bands, vitreous to silky luster, opaque, compact microcrystalline structure, no obvious cleavage, specific gravity about 2.6–2.8. The polished surface may show subdued chatoyancy (cat’s-eye effect).

Identified September 5, 2026More metamorphic →

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At a glance

Common name: Tumbled tiger’s-eye-rich metamorphic stone
Scientific name: Tiger’s eye: fibrous quartz (SiO₂), commonly intergrown with crocidolite pseudomorphs; possibly mixed with dark iron-rich matrix
Category: metamorphic
Identified: September 5, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $2–$15 for a common tumbled stone; $20–$100+ for larger pieces with vivid chatoyancy.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when blue asbestos-like crocidolite fibers are replaced by quartz and oxidized to golden-brown iron oxides during metamorphism. Major deposits are Proterozoic, especially in South Africa and Western Australia.

Uses & applications

Used as a lapidary and ornamental stone for cabochons, beads, carvings, and tumbled specimens; not generally used structurally.

Geological facts

Tiger’s eye is a pseudomorph: quartz preserves the fibrous texture of an earlier mineral. Strong chatoyancy is best seen under a single bright light moved across the surface.

Field identification & locations

Identify by parallel silky bands, brown-gold color, quartz-like hardness, and resistance to scratching by steel; this piece appears unusually dark and may be tiger’s eye mixed with matrix or another iron-rich stone. Common sources include South Africa, Australia, India, Brazil, and Namibia.