Red Quartz
Quartz & Crystal Family
Red quartz is a descriptive name, not a separate quartz species. It generally refers to crystalline quartz colored by fine inclusions or surface coatings of hematite and related iron oxides, producing red, orange-red, or rusty clouds, streaks, and crusts.
Identity
- Material or variety
- Quartz with iron-oxide inclusions
- Scientific or material identity
- Quartz
- Classification
- Natural mineral or mineral variety
- Aliases or trade names
- Ferruginous quartz · Iron quartz · Eisenkiesel
- Composition or formula
- SiO₂
- Crystal system or structure
- Trigonal
- Geological or manufacturing origin
- Can form in more than one geological environment, or combines several materials.
- Mohs hardness
- 7
- Specific gravity
- 2.65
Origins
Brazil · Germany · Morocco · Namibia · South Africa · Spain
Appearance & optical properties
clear quartz with rusty red hematite inclusions.
History & discovery
Mineral collectors have long grouped iron-stained and hematite-included quartz under descriptive names. Ferruginous quartz means iron-bearing quartz, while the traditional German term Eisenkiesel means iron quartz; these labels cover appearances rather than one formally defined gem variety.
Uses & care
- Common uses
- Transparent pieces may be faceted or cut as cabochons, while strongly colored points, clusters, and massive pieces are polished, carved, or kept as mineral specimens.
- Handling and cleaning
- Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Quartz is hard but brittle; protect included or fractured pieces from sharp blows, steam, ultrasonic cleaning, and sudden heating that can extend internal cracks.
Jewellery
5 pieces of Red Quartz jewellery. Learners earn each one in DigMyGem by learning words; until then it shows as a silhouette.
Ember Halo Ring
Ring
A warm red quartz glows like a coal at the heart of a halo of tiny garnets.
Carnival Blaze Necklace
Necklace
A necklace of tumbling red quartz beads that catch the light like lanterns strung on a thread.
Sunstone Brooch
Brooch
A brooch carved as a rising sun, every ray a sliver of red quartz around a golden core.
Crimson Cluster Ring
Ring
An imagined cocktail ring set with a cluster of small red quartz points, coloured by fine specks of iron oxide.
Red Flame Tiara
Tiara
An imagined gold tiara of tongues of flame tipped with red quartz crystals, coloured brick red by iron inside them.