mineral

Quartz (Iron-stained)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Tan to yellowish-orange (due to iron oxide staining), naturally translucent white inside. Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy. Crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal. Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy

Identified July 5, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids cooling in veins or as a primary constituent of igneous and metamorphic rocks. This specimen shows signs of iron-oxide staining, likely from weathering or exposure to iron-rich groundwater in the Caucasus mountain region.

Uses & applications

Used widely in industry for glassmaking, electronics (piezoelectric properties), and as an abrasive. Specimens like this are commonly collected by hobbyists or used in gravel/landscaping.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. The yellowish tint in this specimen is essentially 'rust' (limonite or goethite) that has permeated the micro-fractures in the quartz crystal mass.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its ability to scratch glass and its lack of cleavage planes. The coordinates provided (Western Caucasus) are geologically rich in hydrothermal quartz veins and metamorphic rocks where such specimens are common.