Tiger's Eye
Image: “Jon Zander (Digon3)” (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Mineral NameTiger's Eye
Chemical FormulaSiO2
Mohs Hardness7
Crystal Systemtrigonal
Lustersilky
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavagenone
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity2.64
Colorsgolden-brown, yellow, dark brown, black
Transparencytranslucent
Type LocalityNorthern Cape, South Africa
Mineral GroupSilicates (Chalcedony variety)
Usesjewelry, ornamental, collector
Associated Mineralscrocidolite, quartz
Raritycommon
Description
This is a polished, tumbled specimen of Tiger's Eye, displaying characteristic bands of golden-brown, yellow, and dark brown/black with a distinct chatoyant effect.
Geological Context
Tiger's Eye is a pseudomorph of quartz after crocidolite, forming when quartz replaces the fibrous asbestos mineral while retaining its original fibrous structure. It typically forms in metamorphic rocks.
