Tiger’s eye
QuartzJewelryWiki Editorial·2 sources·Reviewed 2026-08-04
Golden-brown quartz with a moving band of light that slides across the surface as you tilt it. The effect comes from parallel fibres of an asbestos mineral that quartz gradually replaced, keeping the fibrous structure — so the stone is quartz in the shape of something else.
Properties
| Property | Value | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 7 [1] | — |
| Specific gravity | 2.651 [2] | — |
| Chemical formula | SiO2 Read from the species entry, Quartz. [2] | — |
| Crystal system | Hexagonal [2] | — |
| Common treatments | GIA names tiger’s eye specifically among the materials bleached to lighten their colour, and quartz generally among those dyed since ancient times. The common red variety is produced by heating. [1] | — |
| Care cautions | Hard enough for daily wear. If bleached or dyed, avoid solvents and prolonged strong light. [1] | — |
Sources
- International Gem Society — gemstone articles — International Gem Society (IGS, gemstone information articles (gemsociety.org))
- Handbook of Mineralogy — Mineral Data Publishing / Mineralogical Society of America (Handbook of Mineralogy, Mineral Data Publishing)