mineral

Quartz vein rock with iron-stained matrix

Quartz (SiO₂), likely with limonite/goethite and minor feldspar or mica

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White to translucent, glassy-to-dull quartz crystals in a coarse vein; matrix is brown from iron oxides. Quartz has Mohs hardness 7, no cleavage, conchoidal fracture, hexagonal crystal structure, and specific gravity about 2.65; iron staining is earthy and softer.

Identified August 7, 2026More mineral →

Explore Quartz vein rock with iron-stained matrix 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

Formed when silica-rich hydrothermal fluids filled fractures and crystallized, with later oxidation producing the brown limonite/goethite staining. The exact geological age cannot be determined from the photograph; such veins occur in many igneous and metamorphic terrains.

Uses & applications

Common quartz vein material is mainly a collector specimen and may indicate hydrothermal mineralization; exceptionally clear quartz can be used for ornament or lapidary work. This piece has limited commercial value because of its fractured, matrix-rich appearance.

Geological facts

The metallic-looking yellow patches may be iron oxides or minor sulfide remnants, but they cannot be identified reliably from an image. Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant crustal minerals.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness, glassy luster, lack of cleavage, and inability to scratch quartz with a steel knife; acid testing is generally uninformative. Common localities include gold-bearing vein districts worldwide.