mineral

Quartz (Iron-Stained)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Clear to white with orange/brown iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Clear to white with orange/brown iron staining
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified June 30, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments through the cooling of silica-rich magma or precipitation from hydrothermal fluids in rock cavities and veins.

Uses & applications

Used in glass manufacturing, electronics (due to piezoelectric properties), abrasives, and as a collector's specimen or decorative lapidary material.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Specimens like this one are often referred to as 'rusty quartz' due to the limonite or hematite staining on the surface.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (it will scratch glass), lack of cleavage, and crystalline appearance. Can be found globally in riverbeds, mountains, and mines. Collectors look for well-defined crystal points.