mineral

Iron-stained milky quartz vein

Quartz (SiO₂), with iron-oxide/hydroxide staining and minor dark inclusions

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White to translucent, massive and locally crystalline; vitreous to greasy luster, no cleavage, uneven fracture, Mohs hardness 7, and specific gravity about 2.65. Orange-brown areas are likely limonite/goethite coatings or inclusions.

Identified August 22, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed when silica-rich hydrothermal fluids filled fractures in surrounding rock, later acquiring oxidation staining near the surface. The exact age cannot be determined from the image and depends on its host geology.

Uses & applications

Used as a decorative and lapidary material, specimen stone, and source material for silica; usually unsuitable for high-value gemstone use because it is massive and heavily stained.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and commonly forms resistant vein fillings. The dark patches may be altered host rock or iron/manganese minerals rather than part of the quartz itself.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its glassy white appearance, hardness, lack of cleavage, and inability to scratch it with a steel knife; iron staining produces the orange coloration. Common in hydrothermal veins worldwide, including granitic and metamorphic terrains.