mineral

Quartz (Iron-stained or Rose variant)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan to reddish-brown due to iron oxide impurities; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Tan to reddish-brown due to iron oxide impurities
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified May 17, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from silicon-rich hydrothermal fluids or within cooling igneous plutons such as granite. This specific specimen shows weathering and surface staining from iron-rich soil or water.

Uses & applications

Industrial use in glassmaking, electronics (piezoelectric properties), and construction. This rough specimen is primarily used for landscaping, road base, or as a common collector item.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is highly resistant to both mechanical and chemical weathering, which is why it often remains as pebbles long after other minerals have eroded.

Field identification & locations

Identified in the field by its ability to scratch glass and its lack of cleavage. Found globally in almost all rock environments, particularly in riverbeds and mountainous terrain.

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