mineral

Quartz-rich iron-stained rock

Massive to drusy quartz (SiO₂) with iron-oxide coatings, likely limonite/goethite

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White to translucent quartz with vitreous luster, irregular fracture, and rusty brown iron staining; quartz hardness is Mohs 7, non-cleavable, with specific gravity about 2.65. The granular texture may indicate quartz vein material or quartz-rich breccia.

Identified August 23, 2026More mineral →

Explore Quartz-rich iron-stained rock in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Likely formed when silica-rich hydrothermal fluids filled fractures, followed by oxidation and staining by iron-bearing minerals near the surface; precise age and locality cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Mostly a collector specimen or decorative stone; quartz is widely used in glass, ceramics, abrasives, electronics, and engineered stone, but this stained piece is generally not gem quality.

Geological facts

Iron oxides can produce vivid red, orange, yellow, or brown colors on otherwise white quartz. Translucent edges and sparkly crystal faces would support a quartz identification.

Field identification & locations

Common in quartz veins, hydrothermal deposits, and weathered mineralized zones worldwide. Test with a steel file or glass cautiously: quartz should scratch glass and resist a steel knife; a streak test may leave a yellow-brown iron-oxide streak.