mineral

Quartz-bearing iron-stained breccia

Brecciated quartz/quartzite with iron oxides, chiefly SiO₂ with hematite/goethite and possible feldspar or host-rock fragments

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically hardness 6.5–7, white to gray and brown-red, with vitreous to dull luster; irregular fractured texture and no obvious cleavage. The translucent gray-brown areas are likely microcrystalline or massive quartz, while reddish-brown coatings are iron oxides.

Identified August 10, 2026More mineral →

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At a glance

Common name: Quartz-bearing iron-stained breccia
Scientific name: Brecciated quartz/quartzite with iron oxides, chiefly SiO₂ with hematite/goethite and possible feldspar or host-rock fragments
Category: mineral
Identified: August 10, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $5–$25 as a common hand specimen; $30–$100 if unusually attractive, crystalline, or locality-labeled.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Likely formed by silica-rich hydrothermal fluids filling and cementing fractures, followed by oxidation of iron-bearing minerals; its exact age cannot be determined from a photograph. Such material commonly occurs in mineralized veins, fault zones, and weathered quartz deposits.

Uses & applications

Mostly a collecting or lapidary specimen; attractive pieces may be cut or polished, but the visibly fractured, impure material has little industrial value.

Geological facts

Breccia consists of angular rock fragments cemented together; quartz commonly fills the gaps, and iron oxidation produces the rusty coloration.

Field identification & locations

Look for glassy/translucent quartz, conchoidal fracture, angular fragments, and resistance to scratching by a steel knife; hematite/goethite staining is common. Common in hydrothermal vein districts worldwide.