mineral

Orange Quartz

Crystalline Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with iron oxide inclusions

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Pale orange to burnt orange; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: Pale orange to burnt orange
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified February 21, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Pale orange to burnt orange; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed in igneous or metamorphic environments through hydrothermal processes where silica-rich fluids cool and crystallize in crustal veins; the orange hue comes from trace hematite or limonite inclusions.

Uses & applications

Used primarily for lapidary work, decorative cabochons, metaphysical crystals, and as an additive in glassmaking or abrasives when found in bulk.

Geological facts

Orange quartz is often mistaken for Citrine, however, true Citrine gets its color from molecular iron rather than physical inclusions of iron oxide. It is one of the most common minerals in the Earth's continental crust.

Field identification & locations

Identified in the field by its inability to be scratched by a steel knife and its lack of cleavage. It is commonly found in gravel beds, quartz veins, and pegmatites across the United States, Brazil, and Madagascar.

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