mineral
Quartz Vein / Quartzite with Iron Oxide Staining
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Mohs hardness 7, milky white to light blue-grey color with reddish-brown iron-oxide (hematite/goethite) staining along fractures, vitreous to greasy luster, trigonal crystal structure, conchoidal fracture, no distinct cleavage.
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Physical properties
Mohs hardness 7, milky white to light blue-grey color with reddish-brown iron-oxide (hematite/goethite) staining along fractures, vitreous to greasy luster, trigonal crystal structure, conchoidal fracture, no distinct cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Formed via hydrothermal fluids circulating through fractures in host rocks, precipitating quartz crystals over time, often during igneous activity or regional metamorphism.
Uses & applications
Used as an abrasive, in glassmaking, as a source of silicon for electronics, in landscaping, and as decorative mineral specimens.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in the Earth's continental crust. Iron staining gives white quartz its characteristic rusty veins, often indicating the presence of other heavy minerals nearby.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (scratches glass easily), lack of cleavage, and uneven conchoidal fracture. Common worldwide in metamorphic terrains, pegmatites, and gravel deposits. Low commercial value for raw specimens.
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