mineral

Iron-stained milky quartz

Quartz (SiO₂), with iron-oxide staining

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 7 Mohs; white to translucent with rusty orange-brown patches and a vitreous to greasy luster. Massive, without visible crystal faces; no cleavage and uneven fracture; trigonal crystal structure.

Identified September 28, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz forms when silica-rich fluids crystallize in veins or cavities, or during cooling of silica-rich magma. The brown coloration likely comes from iron oxides deposited during later weathering; its precise age and source cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Quartz is used in glass, electronics, abrasives, and as a decorative or lapidary material. This rough specimen is mainly suitable for collecting or polishing.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and can persist in rocks after less-resistant minerals weather away.

Field identification & locations

Look for hardness sufficient to scratch glass, lack of cleavage, and a glassy appearance; iron staining is common on quartz from veins and weathered outcrops worldwide. The image supports identification as quartz, but not a specific locality.