mineral
Iron-stained milky quartz
Quartz (SiO₂), with iron-oxide staining
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 7 Mohs; white to cream, with rusty orange-brown patches and a vitreous to dull luster. Massive, with no cleavage and irregular fracture; trigonal crystal structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness 7 Mohs; white to cream, with rusty orange-brown patches and a vitreous to dull luster. Massive, with no cleavage and irregular fracture; trigonal crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Quartz formed from silica-rich fluids or crystallized in igneous and metamorphic settings; iron oxides later stained its fractures and surfaces. The specimen’s age and exact formation environment cannot be determined from the image.
Uses & applications
Commonly collected as a mineral specimen; quartz is widely used in glass, electronics, abrasives, and decorative stone.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals; its iron staining is usually caused by hematite or goethite.
Field identification & locations
Look for hardness (it scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and uneven fracture; rusty coloration alone does not identify the source. Quartz occurs worldwide in veins and many rock types.
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