mineral

Dendritic Quartz

Silicon Dioxide with inclusions (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 Mohs scale; Color: Colorless to grayish-white translucent with black/brown branching inclusions; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture.

Hardness: 7 Mohs scale
Luster: Vitreous

Identified June 3, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 Mohs scale; Color: Colorless to grayish-white translucent with black/brown branching inclusions; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture.

Formation & geological history

Formed when manganese or iron oxide-rich solutions infiltrate fractures in quartz crystals, precipitating minerals in a fern-like pattern. Most often found in hydrothermal veins.

Uses & applications

Used primarily in jewelry (cabochons), ornamental carvings, and as a popular collector's specimen for physical aesthetics.

Geological facts

The name 'dendrite' comes from the Greek word 'dendron', meaning tree, though these are inorganic mineral growths and not fossilized plants.

Field identification & locations

Identified by plant-like, mossy, or feathery black inclusions inside a translucent crystal. Commonly found in Brazil, India, and the USA. Collectors look for sharp, distinct 'trees'.

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