mineral

Quartz with iron-oxide staining

Quartz (SiO₂), likely with limonite/goethite staining and possible mica or other dark inclusions

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White to translucent, glassy quartz with rusty yellow-brown patches and dark inclusions; quartz has Mohs hardness 7, hexagonal crystal structure, no cleavage, and specific gravity about 2.65. The small specimen’s exact minerals cannot be confirmed from the image alone.

Identified October 2, 2026More mineral →

Explore Quartz with iron-oxide staining 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

Quartz commonly forms when silica-rich fluids fill fractures or grow in veins; iron-bearing fluids can leave yellow-brown oxide coatings. Quartz occurs in rocks of many geological ages and settings.

Uses & applications

Quartz is widely used in glass, electronics, and construction; attractive specimens are collected or used decoratively.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and scratches ordinary glass.

Field identification & locations

Look for glassy luster, hardness, and irregular fracture rather than cleavage; rusty coatings commonly indicate iron oxides. The image shows a small, hand-sized rough specimen, but its locality is unknown.