Tiger's Eye is a chatoyant gemstone formed by the pseudomorphous replacement of crocidolite fibers by silica. It is highly valued for its striking golden-brown luster and distinctive 'cat-eye' band effect when polished in cabochons. It is typically found in weathered metamorphic rocks where oxidation of iron-rich fibers creates its signature warm color palette.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Silky

Streak

White

Transparency

Opaque

mineralcommonQuartz family

Tiger's Eye

Also: Tiger Eye

Hardness: 7
Luster: Silky
Streak: White
Transparency: Opaque

Is this tiger's eye?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch tiger's eye with a known reference. Tiger's Eye sits at Mohs 7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Tiger's Eye leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Tiger's Eye typically shows a silky luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: golden-yellow, brown, reddish-brown.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: massive.

Often confused with

Tiger's Eye vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl

Mohs 8.5

How to tell apart: Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl is the harder of the two (Mohs 8.5 vs. 7); luster reads silky on Tiger's Eye and vitreous on Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl.

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Often found alongside tiger's eye

Minerals reported to co-occur with tiger's eye. 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: 2.64-2.71 g/cm³
Colors: Golden-yellow Brown Reddish-brown
Streak: White
Luster: Silky
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Massive
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Common
Uses: Lapidary, Jewelry, Collector, Decorative
Host rock: Metamorphic Rocks
Typical price: $2-20 per cabochon, $5-50 for small polished specimens.

Where rockhounds find tiger's eye

Classic worldwide localities

South Africa
Western Australia
India
USA
Burma

Field-hunting tip

Look in metamorphic rocks country — that is the host setting where tiger's eye typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, limonite, riebeckite 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

How do you identify tiger's eye?+

Mohs hardness is 7. It typically shows a silky luster. The streak is white. Common colors include golden-yellow, brown, reddish-brown.

Where is tiger's eye found?+

Notable localities include South Africa; Western Australia; India; USA; Burma.

How much is tiger's eye worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $2-20 per cabochon, $5-50 for small polished specimens.. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like tiger's eye?+

Tiger's Eye is most often confused with Hawk's Eye, Pietersite, Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with tiger's eye?+

Tiger's Eye commonly co-occurs with Quartz, Limonite, Riebeckite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does tiger's eye form in?+

Tiger's Eye typically forms in metamorphic rocks. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is tiger's eye used for?+

Tiger's Eye is used in lapidary, jewelry, collector, decorative.

Find tiger's eye on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.