Tiger-eye Quartz
Silicon Dioxide, SiO2

Quartz is by far the most abundant of the polymorphic forms of silica and the most widespread and abundant mineral of the earth's crust. It occurs in igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks as well as hydrothermal veins, metasomatic and hot spring deposits.

Tiger-eye is one of the many varieties of "gemmy" quartz of interest to rockhounds. Others are amethyst, rock crystal, smoky quartz, citrine, quartz cat's-eye, rose quartz, aventurine, chalcedony, agate, carnelian, sard, bloodstone, jasper, plasma, and chrysoprase.

Tiger-eye is composed of a compact mass of quartz of a fibrous nature, the result of silica replacing the original particles of crocidolite (asbestos). Large deposits of tiger-eye are located in South Africa.

Rocks from WSU Thomas Edison Mineral Collection

Index of Specimen Images

Table of Contents

bkeller@rockhounds.com 7/3/95