mineral

Ferruginous Quartz (Iron-Stained Quartz)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Iron Oxide inclusions

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: White to Tan/Orange (due to iron), Luster: Vitreous/Glassy when clean, Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal, Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.65

Identified April 7, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins or as a primary mineral in igneous rocks. The yellowish or reddish staining occurs through the weathering of and seepage from iron-rich minerals (like limonite or hematite) into micro-fractures in the quartz.

Uses & applications

Used primarily for landscaping, aggregate, and as a collector's specimen. High-purity quartz is used in electronics and glass-making.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Iron-stained quartz is often mistaken for gold-bearing ore by amateur prospectors due to the yellowish tint.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it can scratch glass), its lack of cleavage, and the characteristic rusty orange or yellow staining on its surface. Common in riverbeds and mountainous terrain worldwide.

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