mineral

Quartz-rich breccia or iron-stained quartz

Microcrystalline to crystalline quartz (SiO₂), with probable iron-oxide staining and minor host-rock fragments

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White to gray, granular and locally translucent, with a glassy to dull luster; quartz hardness is Mohs 7, lacks cleavage, and has a hexagonal crystal structure. The rusty yellow-brown patches likely represent limonite/goethite or iron-bearing matrix.

Identified September 3, 2026More mineral →

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At a glance

Common name: Quartz-rich breccia or iron-stained quartz
Scientific name: Microcrystalline to crystalline quartz (SiO₂), with probable iron-oxide staining and minor host-rock fragments
Category: mineral
Identified: September 3, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $5–$25 for a small common specimen; approximately $25–$75 if locality, crystal form, or attractive mineralization is documented.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Likely formed when silica-rich fluids filled fractures or cemented broken rock, followed by oxidation of iron-bearing minerals near the surface. Its exact geological age and locality cannot be determined from the photograph alone.

Uses & applications

Quartz-rich specimens are used for collecting, lapidary work, glass and silicon production; iron-stained pieces are mainly ornamental or educational rather than valuable gem material.

Geological facts

The irregular, cemented texture suggests brecciation or vein quartz rather than a single clean quartz crystal. A glass-scratch test can help confirm quartz, though it may damage the specimen.

Field identification & locations

Common in hydrothermal veins, fault zones, and weathered mineralized areas worldwide. Look for hardness, lack of cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and possible effervescence-free reaction to dilute acid; a definitive identification requires testing.