mineral

Quartz with Iron Oxide Inclusions

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Iron Hydroxide/Oxide (Limonite/Goethite)

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale. Color: White to translucent quartz with yellowish-brown to orange limonite/iron staining. Luster: Vitreous to greasy. Crystal System: Trigonal/Hexagonal. Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified July 22, 2026More mineral →

Explore Quartz with Iron Oxide Inclusions 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 through hydrothermal processes where silica-rich fluids precipitated quartz in rock fractures or cavities, later stained or encrusted with secondary iron minerals formed by oxidation and weathering.

Uses & applications

Mainly collected as a mineral specimen, lapidary rough, or for educational study. Clean, high-grade quartz is used in electronics, optics, and glassmaking.

Geological facts

Iron oxide coatings give quartz specimens a rusty, golden, or earthy appearance. Collectors often use oxalic acid baths to strip the iron oxide away and reveal pristine white or clear quartz underneath.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by checking for quartz hardness (scratches glass readily) combined with distinct rusty orange-brown staining in cavities and seams. Commonly found in quartz veins and hydrothermal mineral deposits worldwide.

Other mineral specimens

See all

Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)

Arenite (SiO2 based)

sedimentary

Schist

Metamorphic

Sandstone with Mineral Veining or Crust

Sedimentary Sandstone (mostly SiO2 with Fe2O3 tinting)

sedimentary

Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase)

Orthoclase (KAlSi3O8)

mineral

Gypsum (variety Selenite or Alabaster)

Calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4·2H2O)

Mineral

Nephrite Jade

Nephrite

Mineral/Rock