mineral

Quartz (White/Milky with Iron Staining)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: White to milky with reddish-brown iron inclusions, Luster: Vitreous/glassy, Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal), Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.65

Identified March 23, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids cooling in rock fractures or within igneous pegmatites. It is found in geological settings spanning billions of years, from Precambrian shields to modern volcanic areas.

Uses & applications

Used in industry for glass making, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, and as a common landscaping or decorative stone. Sometimes used in jewelry as 'Rose' or 'Snow' quartz depending on clarity.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Pure quartz is colorless, but impurities and internal fractures create the milky white appearance and rusty iron staining seen on this specimen.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it will easily scratch glass or a steel knife blade) and its lack of cleavage (it breaks in irregular, shell-like curves). Very common in mountain ranges and riverbeds globally.

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