mineral

Quartz (Iron-Stained)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Pale pink to tan/brown due to iron oxide staining. Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy. Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal. Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Pale pink to tan/brown due to iron oxide staining
Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy

Identified March 31, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids or within igneous pegmatites. This specific specimen appears to be a macrocrystalline aggregate that has been subject to alluvial weathering and iron-rich groundwater staining.

Uses & applications

Used widely in glassmaking, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, and as decorative garden stones or low-cost collector specimens.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Iron oxide staining often gives quartz a 'peach' or 'rust' color, which is sometimes mistaken for Rose Quartz or Sunstone by beginners.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its ability to scratch glass and lack of cleavage. Found globally in almost all geological environments. Collectors should look for distinct crystal faces or transparency, which this tumble-worn specimen lacks.