Crocidolite or tiger-eye is a light-brown, brownish-yellow to
dark-green, and greenish-blue quartz, which has the same chatoyant
qualities as the cat’s-eye. When cut cabochon, the crocidolite is
called tiger-eye.
This beautiful mineral was very rare some years ago, and good specimens
were sold by the carat.
Great quantities, however, have lately been found in South Africa, and
although the finest pieces are still used for cameos and intaglios,
many objects, such as paperweights, umbrella handles, match-safes,
etc., are now cut from this stone.
Crocidolite is often artificially colored to very closely imitate some
of the finest shades of the oriental cat’s-eye.