mineral

Iron-rich quartz crystal

Quartz, SiO₂, likely iron-stained or hematite-included quartz

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Translucent honey-brown to reddish coloration, vitreous luster, irregular conchoidal fractures, and no obvious cleavage; Mohs hardness 7, trigonal crystal structure, specific gravity about 2.65. The red-brown areas may be hematite or limonite inclusions/coatings.

Identified August 13, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed when silica-rich hydrothermal fluids crystallized in fractures or cavities, with later iron-oxide staining. Quartz is geologically widespread and may occur from Precambrian to modern hydrothermal settings.

Uses & applications

Used mainly as a collector specimen; clear varieties are used in jewelry, optics, electronics, and glass manufacture. This rough, heavily included piece has limited ornamental value.

Geological facts

Iron oxides can produce golden, red, or smoky-brown colors without changing quartz’s composition. The specimen’s broken, glassy surfaces are consistent with quartz rather than calcite.

Field identification & locations

Test with a steel file or glass: quartz should scratch glass and resist a steel knife. Common sources include Brazil, Madagascar, the United States, and Alpine hydrothermal veins; acid fizzing would suggest calcite instead.