mineral

Quartz geode / iron-stained quartz vein rock

Quartz (SiO₂), likely with iron oxides and minor feldspar or host-rock minerals

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 7 Mohs; pale gray to cream exterior with rusty red-brown iron staining and a sparkly cavity lined by tiny quartz crystals. Quartz has a vitreous luster, trigonal crystal structure, no cleavage, and specific gravity near 2.65.

Identified August 10, 2026More mineral →

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At a glance

Common name: Quartz geode / iron-stained quartz vein rock
Scientific name: Quartz (SiO₂), likely with iron oxides and minor feldspar or host-rock minerals
Category: mineral
Identified: August 10, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $5–$30 for a common specimen of this size and appearance; roughly $30–$100 if the cavity has unusually bright, well-formed crystals.

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

Formed when silica-rich fluids filled a cavity or fracture in older host rock, depositing quartz crystals as the fluid cooled; iron oxidation produced the reddish staining. Its exact geological age cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Commonly collected as a decorative or lapidary specimen; quartz is widely used in glass, ceramics, abrasives, electronics, and construction aggregate.

Geological facts

The open cavity is a vug, and the glittering lining likely consists of drusy quartz. The dark red-brown material may be hematite or limonite rather than a separate gemstone.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by testing for glass-scratching hardness, examining hexagonal/drusy crystal faces, and checking for a white streak from quartz; iron oxides give a yellow-brown to reddish streak. Quartz geodes and vein specimens occur worldwide, especially in volcanic and hydrothermal regions.