mineral

Quartz (Pink/Orange Variety)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pinkish-orange (salmon); Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Pinkish-orange (salmon)
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified May 9, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pinkish-orange (salmon); Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling and crystallization of silica-rich magma or from hydrothermal veins. This specimen appears water-worn, likely from a fluvial (river) or coastal environment.

Uses & applications

Used in jewelry, decorative items, glass manufacturing, and as a collector's specimen. High-quality quartz is also used in electronics for its piezoelectric properties.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. The pink/orange tint is often caused by trace amounts of titanium, iron, or manganese, or by microscopic inclusions of other minerals.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (ability to scratch glass), lack of cleavage, and waxy luster when wet or polished. Often found in riverbeds or beaches as rounded pebbles.