mineral

Ferruginous Quartz (Iron-Stained Quartz)

Quartz (Silicon Dioxide) with Iron Oxide inclusions (SiO2 + Fe2O3)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to translucent with reddish-orange iron staining; Luster: Vitreous/Glassy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Milky white to translucent with reddish-orange iron staining
Luster: Vitreous/Glassy

Identified March 19, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of silica-rich hydrothermal fluids in veins or pockets. The orange/red coloration is caused by hematite or limonite staining from oxidizing iron-rich groundwater that permeated the crystal's fractures after primary formation.

Uses & applications

Primarily for mineral collecting, lapidary use (tumbling and cabochons), and occasionally as a landscape decorative stone. Pure quartz is used in glassmaking and electronics, but stained specimens are usually for aesthetic interest.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Iron-stained quartz is sometimes colloquially called 'Hematoid Quartz' or 'Golden Healer' in metaphysical communities. This specific specimen shows water-worn rounding, suggesting it was found in a riverbed or glacial deposit.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (cannot be scratched by a steel knife) and its glassy, irregular fracture. It is ubiquitous globally, commonly found in gravel pits, riverbeds, and mountainous regions like the Appalachians or the Rockies.

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