mineral

Tumbled tiger’s eye

Tiger’s eye, a quartz-rich pseudomorph after crocidolite; SiO₂

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 6.5–7 Mohs; golden to brown silky luster with moving chatoyant bands. Microcrystalline quartz, no visible cleavage; specific gravity about 2.6–2.7. The specimen is polished and rounded.

Identified September 27, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness 6.5–7 Mohs; golden to brown silky luster with moving chatoyant bands. Microcrystalline quartz, no visible cleavage; specific gravity about 2.6–2.7. The specimen is polished and rounded.

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica replaces fibrous crocidolite (asbestos), preserving its structure and producing chatoyancy. Tiger’s eye deposits are especially associated with the Precambrian rocks of South Africa’s Cape Province.

Uses & applications

Commonly cut into cabochons, beads, and decorative objects; also collected and used for inexpensive jewelry.

Geological facts

Its bright, shifting band of reflected light is called chatoyancy, from the French for “cat’s eye.” The pictured piece appears to be a polished tumble rather than a faceted gemstone.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by golden-brown parallel bands and a silky light streak that shifts as the stone turns; similar material occurs in Australia, India, and Namibia. Avoid assuming every brown chatoyant stone is tiger’s eye without checking its banding and luster.