metamorphic

Iron-stained quartz-rich rock (likely quartzite or quartz vein material)

Quartz (SiO₂), commonly with limonite/goethite iron oxides; possible quartzite matrix

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White to gray, brown-orange iron staining, vitreous to dull luster, massive interlocking quartz grains with no obvious cleavage. Quartz hardness is 7 Mohs; specific gravity about 2.65, though porous staining and matrix may vary.

Identified August 13, 2026More metamorphic →

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At a glance

Common name: Iron-stained quartz-rich rock (likely quartzite or quartz vein material)
Scientific name: Quartz (SiO₂), commonly with limonite/goethite iron oxides; possible quartzite matrix
Category: metamorphic
Identified: August 13, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

Approximately $2–$15 for a common hand specimen; potentially $20–$75 if unusually attractive, crystalline, or locality-documented.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Likely formed from silica-rich material recrystallized during metamorphism, or from hydrothermal quartz filling a fracture; later oxidation produced the brown limonite/goethite staining. Precise age and locality cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Used as aggregate, decorative stone, and occasionally as a lapidary material; attractive translucent portions may be polished, but this specimen appears mainly collectible rather than gem-quality.

Geological facts

The orange-brown color is typically caused by hydrated iron oxides rather than by the quartz itself. A fresh broken surface should be glassy or granular and may show translucent quartz.

Field identification & locations

Common in quartz veins and metamorphic terrains worldwide. Test with a steel file or glass: quartz should scratch glass and resist a steel blade; dilute hydrochloric acid should not visibly fizz.