mineral
Quartz with Iron Oxide
SiO2
Hardness 7 on Mohs scale. Colorless to white, but heavily stained with reddish-brown from iron oxide (rust). Vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture.
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Physical properties
Hardness 7 on Mohs scale. Colorless to white, but heavily stained with reddish-brown from iron oxide (rust). Vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Forms in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. Often found in hydrothermal veins. The iron staining occurs when iron-bearing minerals oxidize around or within the quartz.
Uses & applications
Common quartz is used in minor industrial applications, but pieces like this are mostly decorative or for basic mineral collecting.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. The rusty appearance is extremely common where quartz veins are exposed to weathering.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified by its hardness (scratches glass), conchoidal fracture, and lack of cleavage. Found worldwide in many environments.
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