mineral
Iron-Stained Quartz
Silicon Dioxide with Iron Oxide (SiO2 with Fe2O3)
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous to greasy luster, translucent to transparent, conchoidal fracture, and no true cleavage. The color is clear or white with distinctive brownish-yellow to reddish-orange iron staining (hematite or limonite coating) in the fractures and cavities.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous to greasy luster, translucent to transparent, conchoidal fracture, and no true cleavage. The color is clear or white with distinctive brownish-yellow to reddish-orange iron staining (hematite or limonite coating) in the fractures and cavities.
Formation & geological history
Formed in hydrothermal veins, pegmatites, or as secondary deposits where silica-rich fluids crystallized and later experienced groundwater movement depositing iron oxides into cracks.
Uses & applications
Used in lapidary work, specimen collecting, and decorative stones.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's continental crust. Iron staining is a very common natural occurrence caused by weathering when iron-bearing water seeps into cracks in the quartz.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and characteristic rusty staining. Found worldwide in almost all geological environments.
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