mineral

Quartz vein in iron-stained host rock

Quartz (SiO₂) with limonite/goethite staining, likely in altered basalt or another dark volcanic host

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

The specimen shows translucent to milky gray quartz with a glassy luster and irregular fracture, surrounded by rusty yellow-brown iron oxides and a dark fine-grained host. Quartz is Mohs hardness 7, lacks cleavage, and has specific gravity about 2.65;…

Identified August 22, 2026More mineral →

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At a glance

Common name: Quartz vein in iron-stained host rock
Scientific name: Quartz (SiO₂) with limonite/goethite staining, likely in altered basalt or another dark volcanic host
Category: mineral
Identified: August 22, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

Approximately $5–$25 for a common hand specimen; unusually attractive crystals or documented ore-host specimens may sell for $30–$100.

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

Quartz precipitated from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids filling a fracture, while oxidation of iron-bearing minerals produced the limonite/goethite coating. The exact age and host rock cannot be determined from the image; such veins occur in many volcanic and metamorphic terrains.

Uses & applications

Primarily a collecting specimen; quartz-bearing rock may have minor industrial significance, but this piece is not gem grade or suitable for construction aggregate.

Geological facts

The orange-brown coloration is iron-oxide staining rather than the quartz’s intrinsic color. Quartz veins commonly record ancient fluid movement and can locally accompany sulfide ores or gold.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by testing for hardness: quartz scratches ordinary glass and resists a steel blade; acid produces no reaction. Common settings include hydrothermal veins in volcanic and metamorphic rocks worldwide.