mineral
Iron-stained quartz with druzy crystals
Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂), with iron-oxide staining
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectMostly white to honey-brown, glassy quartz with small crystal faces and rusty reddish-brown patches. Quartz is Mohs 7, trigonal, with no cleavage and conchoidal fracture; the iron oxides produce the earthy coloration.
Identified More mineral →
Explore Iron-stained quartz with druzy crystals in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Mostly white to honey-brown, glassy quartz with small crystal faces and rusty reddish-brown patches. Quartz is Mohs 7, trigonal, with no cleavage and conchoidal fracture; the iron oxides produce the earthy coloration.
Formation & geological history
Likely quartz veins or cavities formed as silica-rich fluids cooled and deposited crystals; later iron-bearing fluids or weathering stained the surfaces. The image alone cannot determine geological age.
Uses & applications
Quartz specimens are collected and used in ornamentation; quartz also has major uses in glassmaking, electronics, and construction materials.
Geological facts
The reddish and ochre colors are commonly caused by hematite or goethite coatings rather than by colored quartz itself.
Field identification & locations
Look for hard, glassy surfaces, irregular fracture, and tiny projecting crystal points; quartz commonly occurs in veins and geodes worldwide. The specimen appears to be a natural, rough quartz cluster with iron staining.
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Gneiss or Schist
Gneiss or Mica Schist with Garnet
Metamorphic
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Tumbled granite
Granite, a coarse-grained felsic intrusive igneous rock
igneous
Pegmatite with Tourmaline and Quartz
Igneous Pegmatite
igneous
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic
Granite
Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)
igneous