mineral

Quartz Nut

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to tan with orange/red iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Milky white to tan with orange/red iron staining
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified July 8, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to tan with orange/red iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).

Formation & geological history

Formed from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids cooling in veins or as a major constituent of igneous rocks. The orange staining is due to secondary iron oxide (limonite or hematite) infiltration from weathering.

Uses & applications

Used in glass manufacturing, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, and as a landscaping stone. Low-quality specimens are primarily for education or gravel.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. This specific specimen shows 'massive' quartz growth rather than distinct crystals, typical of vein quartz.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its ability to scratch glass and steel, lack of cleavage, and translucent appearance. Can be found globally in almost any geological environment, particularly in riverbeds and mountainous terrain.