AllMineralsRock
Serpentine Vs. Tigers Eye
Serpentine is a popular mineral group composed of a group of silicates.[1] Tigers eye is also a popular gemstone tiger's eye and its chemical composition is silicon dioxide.[2]
Quick Facts on Differences of Serpentine and Tigers Eye
For a quick recap of the differences serpentine and tigers eye:- While both serpentine and tigers eye can be opaque, serpentine can be translucent or transparent.
- In terms of crystallography, serpentine is monoclinic while tigers eye is hexagonal.
- For chemical formulas, serpentine can be (Mg, Al, Al, Fe, Fe)2O5(OH)4, Mn)2_3(Si, Ni or Zn while tigers eye is SiO2.
- While both serpentine and tigers eye can be silky, in terms of luster, serpentine can be greasy or waxy.
- Serpentine streaks white while tigers eye streaks brown or yellow.
- Serpentine can be commonly green while tigers eye can be commonly brown, multicolor or yellow.
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Serpentine's hardness is lower than tigers eye - serpentine ranges from 2 to 5 and tigers eye is 7 on the Moh's scale.
- Serpentine can be scratched by glass (5.5) or quartz (7) while tigers eye can not be.
Quick Facts on Similarities of Serpentine and Tigers Eye
The similarities of serpentine and tigers eye include:- Serpentine's rarity is similar to tigers eye.
Summary of Serpentine
Serpentine is a group of minerals that are commonly found in metamorphic rocks. It is typically green in color and has a waxy or oily texture. Serpentine can be identified by its unique color and texture, as well as its tendency to break into small, fibrous pieces. It is also often associated with other minerals, such as olivine and pyroxene.Summary of Tigers Eye
Tigers Eye is a mineral that belongs to the quartz family and is known for its unique golden-brown color with stripes that resemble those of a tiger. It is a metamorphic rock that is formed by the alteration of crocidolite, a blue asbestos mineral. The crocidolite fibers are replaced by quartz, which gives the stone its characteristic golden brown color.Table Comparison of Serpentine vs Tigers Eye
| Serpentine (src) | Tigers Eye (src) | |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency | transparent, translucent, opaque | opaque |
| Chemical Formula | (Mg,Fe,Ni,Al,Zn,Mn)2_3(Si,Al,Fe)2O5(OH)4 | SiO2 |
| Chemical Composition | a group of silicates | silicon dioxide |
| Hardness | 2, 5 | 7 |
| Streak | white | yellow, brown |
| Crystallography | monoclinic | hexagonal |
| Hydrous | No | No |
| Colors | common: green sometimes: gray, black, brown, white, purple, yellow, multicolor |
common: brown, yellow, multicolor |