mineral
Orange Quartz (or Carnelian Chalcedony)
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Orange to honey-brown, Luster: Vitreous to waxy, Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline), Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture, Specific Gravity: 2.65
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Orange to honey-brown, Luster: Vitreous to waxy, Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline), Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture, Specific Gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed in low-temperature hydrothermal environments where silica-rich fluids permeate rock cavities or volcanic vesicles. Common in sedimentary and volcanic rock formations.
Uses & applications
Primarily used for ornamental purposes, lapidary art, jewelry (cabochons), and as a collector's specimen. In industry, quartz is used for abrasive and glass-making purposes.
Geological facts
The orange color is typically caused by iron oxide (hematite) impurities. It has been used since ancient times for seals and talismans in Roman and Egyptian cultures.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its waxy luster, inability to be scratched by a steel blade, and lack of cleavage. Often found in riverbeds or gravel deposits near volcanic regions.
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Mineral
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Mineral/Rock
Granite
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