Cat's eye quartz displays a distinct optical phenomenon known as chatoyancy, where a bright, shifting band of light moves across the surface of a cabochon-cut stone. This effect is caused by the inclusion of parallel fibrous minerals, such as rutile or asbestos, within the quartz matrix. Collectors prize it for its unique light-reflective qualities and typically find it in cabochon form due to its opaque to translucent nature.
Is this cat's eye quartz?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch cat's eye quartz with a known reference. Cat's Eye Quartz sits at Mohs 7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Cat's Eye Quartz leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Cat's Eye Quartz typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray, yellow, green, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: massive.
Often confused with
Cat's Eye Quartz vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Chrysoberyl is the harder of the two (Mohs 8.5 vs. 7).
How to tell apart: Cat's Eye Quartz is noticeably harder (Mohs 7 vs. 1); luster reads vitreous on Cat's Eye Quartz and pearly on Talc.
Often found alongside cat's eye quartz
Minerals reported to co-occur with cat's eye quartz. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- SiO₂
- Mohs hardness
- 7
- Density
- 2.65 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Gemstone, Lapidary, Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $10-100 per carat for cut stones
Where rockhounds find cat's eye quartz
Classic worldwide localities
- Sri Lanka
- India
- Brazil
- USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where cat's eye quartz typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, hematite, goethite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find cat's eye quartz on the map
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