mineral

Quartz (Iron-stained / Orange Quartz)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale orange to reddish-brown due to iron oxide impurities; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: ~2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Pale orange to reddish-brown due to iron oxide impurities
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified July 26, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments through the crystallization of silica-rich fluids. Iron oxides typically stain or coat the quartz grains during or after formation.

Uses & applications

Used widely in lapidary work, tumbled stones, jewelry making, and as decorative collector specimens. Bulk quartz is used in optics, electronics, and glassmaking.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Color variations in iron-stained quartz can range from light yellow-orange to deep rust orange.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (scratches glass easily), lack of cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and characteristic orange-tinted vitreous appearance. Widely found in gravel beds, stream deposits, and pegmatites globally.

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