mineral
Quartz (Iron-stained)
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White to honey-brown due to iron oxide staining; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- White to honey-brown due to iron oxide staining
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White to honey-brown due to iron oxide staining; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed from silica-rich hydrothermal solutions or cooling magma; this specimen shows weathering and iron leaching from surrounding soil or water, creating the surface coloration.
Uses & applications
Used in glass manufacturing, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, and as decorative landscape stone or collector specimens.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Pure quartz is clear, but impurities like iron can change its color significantly without changing its chemical structure.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (it will scratch glass) and lack of cleavage. Common in riverbeds, gravel pits, and mountainous regions worldwide.
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