metamorphic
Tumbled tiger’s eye
Tiger’s-eye quartz; SiO₂ with iron-oxide-rich bands, commonly after crocidolite
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectMohs hardness 6.5–7; golden-brown and dark blue-gray bands with silky chatoyant luster. Microcrystalline quartz, with no visible cleavage; specific gravity about 2.6–2.7.
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Physical properties
Mohs hardness 6.5–7; golden-brown and dark blue-gray bands with silky chatoyant luster. Microcrystalline quartz, with no visible cleavage; specific gravity about 2.6–2.7.
Formation & geological history
Forms when silica replaces fibrous crocidolite, preserving its structure, with iron oxides producing golden-brown color. Major deposits formed in ancient banded iron formations, notably South Africa’s roughly 2-billion-year-old deposits.
Uses & applications
Used for beads, cabochons, carvings, and decorative objects; also collected as a lapidary stone.
Geological facts
The specimen’s polished, curved surface shows the characteristic fibrous-looking banding, though the photo alone cannot confirm the exact variety.
Field identification & locations
Identify tiger’s eye by its parallel bands and silky sheen that appears to shift as the stone moves. Best known from South Africa and Western Australia; this appears to be a polished, tumbled piece.
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