mineral
Orange Quartz (likely Carnelian or stained Quartz)
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Orange, peach, or reddish-brown; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- Orange, peach, or reddish-brown
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Orange, peach, or reddish-brown; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed through the precipitation of silica in volcanic cavities or sedimentary environments. The orange hue is typically caused by iron oxide impurities. The smooth texture suggests it has been water-worn in a river or glacially transported.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in lapidary work, jewelry, and as a collector's specimen. Fine varieties like carnelian have been used for seals and amulets since antiquity.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Specimens found near Moscow (55.9°N) are often part of glacial drift deposits transported from the Baltic Shield during the last Ice Age.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its ability to scratch glass and its lack of cleavage. In the Moscow region, search in gravel pits or riverbanks where glacial sediments are exposed.
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