mineral

Quartz with Iron Staining

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to translucent with reddish-brown iron oxide staining; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: White to translucent with reddish-brown iron oxide staining
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified May 5, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed primarily in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites through the cooling of silica-rich solutions under high pressure and temperature environments. Iron staining occurs due to later oxidation of iron-bearing minerals.

Uses & applications

Industrial use in glassmaking, electronics (piezoelectric properties), and construction; also highly valued in lapidary for carvings and metaphysical specimen collecting.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Iron-stained quartz is often the precursor to what is naturally known as 'Citrine' or 'Hematoid Quartz' depending on the concentration of iron.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (will scratch glass), lack of cleavage, and glassy appearance even when coated in rust-colored soil or iron oxides. Often found in riverbeds or near granite outcrops.