metamorphic

Iron-stained brecciated quartz/quartzite

Quartz-rich breccia; predominantly SiO₂ with iron-oxide/hydroxide coatings (goethite/limonite)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 7 for quartz, with earthy softer iron staining; white to yellow-orange, vitreous to dull luster, irregular fractured texture, and no obvious cleavage. The angular quartz-rich fragments are cemented by silica and iron oxides.

Identified September 9, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Likely formed when silica-rich rock was fractured, then cemented by hydrothermal or groundwater fluids; the orange-brown color is later oxidation of iron. Exact geological age cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Used mainly as a lapidary, display, or teaching specimen; attractive pieces may be cut or polished, but it has little industrial value compared with ordinary quartzite or iron ore.

Geological facts

The specimen appears brecciated rather than crystalline throughout, with iron oxides concentrated along fractures and surfaces. A streak test and acid/magnet tests can help distinguish it from slag or ore-bearing material.

Field identification & locations

Common in hydrothermal veins, fault zones, weathered quartz veins, and iron-rich terrains worldwide. Look for glassy quartz fragments, sharp fracture boundaries, and a white streak; avoid relying on color alone.