mineral
Quartz with Iron Oxide Inclusions
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness 7 on Mohs scale, milky white to clear with reddish-brown iron oxide staining, vitreous luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture, specific gravity 2.65
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Physical properties
Hardness 7 on Mohs scale, milky white to clear with reddish-brown iron oxide staining, vitreous luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture, specific gravity 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed in hydrothermal veins and igneous intrusions. Iron oxide minerals like hematite or goethite deposit along cracks, crevices, or growth zones within the quartz matrix.
Uses & applications
Commonly collected as mineral specimens; lower grade quartz is used in construction aggregates, abrasive materials, and glassmaking.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's crust. Iron oxide staining gives quartz various shades of yellow, orange, red, and brown, often forming intricate internal or surface patterns.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified by its hardness (scratches glass), glass-like luster, and characteristic reddish-orange staining along fracture lines or crystal margins. Extremely common globally in mountain regions and riverbed gravels.
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