mineral

Flesh-colored Quartz Mineral

SiO2 (Silicon Dioxide) with Iron Impurities

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pinkish-tan, flesh tones; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Pinkish-tan, flesh tones
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified June 25, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pinkish-tan, flesh tones; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).

Formation & geological history

Forms in hydrothermal veins or from the crystallization of magma. It can also appear as a weathered pebble in alluvial deposits. Iron oxides or microcrystalline inclusions typically cause this specific coloration within the quartz matrix.

Uses & applications

Commonly used as a decorative stone, in lapidary work for cabochons, and as a component in engineered stone countertops (like the one shown in the background).

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. This specific hue is often mistaken for orthoclase feldspar, but its lack of cleavage planes distinguishes it as quartz.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (will scratch glass) and lack of cleavage. It is found globally in almost any geological environment, particularly in mountain ranges and riverbeds.

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Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)

Arenite (SiO2 based)

sedimentary

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Metamorphic

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metamorphic

Nephrite Jade

Nephrite

Mineral/Rock

Banded Gneiss (River Rock/Pebble)

Gneiss (specifically a banded variety often found as a river rock)

Metamorphic Rock

Green Apatite on Albite

Fluorapatite [Ca5(PO4)3F] on Albite [Na(AlSi3O8)]

mineral