mineral

Iron-stained Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Hematite/Limonite inclusions

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Translucent white to milky pink/orange with reddish-brown surface staining. Luster: Vitreous to greasy. Crystal System: Trigonal/Hexagonal. Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific Gravity: ~2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified July 27, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through hydrothermal precipitation in veins or igneous pegmatites. The reddish-orange coloration is caused by iron oxide weathering (hematite or limonite) coating the exterior and filling fractures.

Uses & applications

Used primarily for rock tumbling, lapidary projects, decorative gravel, and amateur mineral collecting.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in Earth's continental crust. Iron oxide staining is common in surface-collected quartz and can often be dissolved using oxalic acid to reveal clear quartz underneath.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its high hardness (scratches glass, cannot be scratched by steel), glassy to greasy luster, lack of cleavage, and characteristic rusty orange-brown iron oxidation staining. Found worldwide in quartz veins, gravel pits, and mountain runoff.

Other mineral specimens

See all

Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)

Arenite (SiO2 based)

sedimentary

Soil with Mineral Detritus and Quartz Fragments

Regolith / Silicate Mineral Aggregate

sedimentary

Limonite / Goethite (Iron Ore Mineral nodule)

FeO(OH)·nH2O / FeO(OH)

mineral

Schist

Metamorphic

Septarian Pebble

Septarian nodule / Concretion

sedimentary

Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase)

Orthoclase (KAlSi3O8)

mineral