mineral

Ferruginous Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Hematite/Limonite impurities

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Yellowish-brown, orange, or rusty red due to iron oxide; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: Yellowish-brown, orange, or rusty red due to iron oxide
Luster: Vitreous to dull

Identified March 16, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through hydrothermal processes where silica-rich fluids crystallize in veins or cavities. The rusty coloration occurs when iron-rich groundwater (containing hematite or limonite) coats the surface or leaches into internal fractures over geological time.

Uses & applications

Primarily used as decorative stones, in landscaping, or as specimens for hobbyist mineral collectors. Larger industrial deposits of high-purity quartz are used in glass-making and electronics.

Geological facts

Also known as 'Iron Quartz' or 'Golden Healer' in metaphysical communities. The orange and brown staining is often just a thin 'skin' or coating that can sometimes be removed with oxalic acid to reveal clear quartz underneath.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its ability to scratch glass and its characteristic rusty staining alongside a translucent to milky interior. It is commonly found in gravel pits, riverbeds, and mountainous regions worldwide.

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