mineral

Iron-stained quartz-rich rock, possibly jasper or hydrothermal breccia

Microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂) with iron oxides/hydroxides, likely hematite and goethite; exact identification requires testing

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 6.5–7 for quartz; mottled white, gray, orange, and reddish-brown, with dull to locally waxy/vitreous luster. The irregular texture suggests quartz cement or chalcedony enclosing altered fragments; cleavage is absent and fracture is conchoidal to uneven.

Identified September 9, 2026More mineral →

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At a glance

Common name: Iron-stained quartz-rich rock, possibly jasper or hydrothermal breccia
Scientific name: Microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂) with iron oxides/hydroxides, likely hematite and goethite; exact identification requires testing
Category: mineral
Identified: September 9, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

Approximately $5–$25 as an ordinary hand specimen; polished or unusually patterned material may sell for $30–$100.

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 when silica-rich fluids filled fractures or cemented brecciated rock, followed by oxidation of iron-bearing minerals near the surface. Its precise geological age cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Used as decorative stone, lapidary material, and occasionally as a minor iron-oxide specimen; this piece appears more suitable for collecting than construction or jewelry.

Geological facts

Orange coloration commonly comes from goethite or limonite, while deep red-brown zones may contain hematite. Acid reaction, streak, hardness, and thin-section or laboratory analysis would distinguish jasper from altered host rock.

Field identification & locations

Common in hydrothermal veins, volcanic terrains, weathered iron-rich zones, and jasper localities worldwide. Test whether it scratches glass, leaves a yellow-brown streak, and reacts weakly or not at all with dilute hydrochloric acid.