Tiger Eye

Scientific Name: Variety of Quartz

Group: Silicates – tectosilicates

Chemical composition: SiO2

Colors: Yellow-brown, red-brown, or blue-black with luminescent banding.

Hardness: 7

Formation: Hexagonal/trigonal crystals; Fibrous form

Principal Sources: South Africa; East Asia

Special Notes: Tiger’s eye (also called Tigers eye or Tiger eye) is a chatoyant gemstone that is a member of the quartz group. It is a classic example of pseudomorphous replacement by silica of fibrous crocidolite (blue asbestos). Tiger’s eye quartz is formed when parallel veins of crocidolite (blue asbestos) are changed to iron oxides and then replaced by silica.