mineral
Pink chalcedony / quartz fragment (probable)
Microcrystalline quartz, SiO₂ (likely iron-stained chalcedony or quartzite)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectPale salmon-pink, opaque to slightly translucent, with a dull-to-waxy luster and irregular conchoidal/fractured surfaces. Quartz has Mohs hardness 7, no cleavage, and specific gravity about 2.6; the photograph does not show diagnostic crystal faces or grain size clearly.
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Physical properties
Pale salmon-pink, opaque to slightly translucent, with a dull-to-waxy luster and irregular conchoidal/fractured surfaces. Quartz has Mohs hardness 7, no cleavage, and specific gravity about 2.6; the photograph does not show diagnostic crystal faces or grain size clearly.
Formation & geological history
Likely silica deposited from groundwater or present in a siliceous host rock, with the pink color caused by iron impurities. Exact age and formation cannot be determined from the image.
Uses & applications
Common material is mainly a collecting specimen, lapidary rough, or source for cabochons; quartz-rich rock can also be used as aggregate and dimension stone.
Geological facts
The form resembles a small naturally fractured or knapped fragment, but there is insufficient evidence to distinguish a natural break from human working.
Field identification & locations
The Wyoming location is plausible for quartz and chalcedony in veins, volcanic rocks, and sedimentary formations. Test with a steel file or glass: it should scratch glass and resist a steel blade; acid testing is not useful. A close-up against a scale and a fresh surface would improve identification.
