mineral

Iron-stained milky quartz

Quartz (SiO₂), with iron-oxide staining

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 7 Mohs; cream to honey-brown, vitreous to waxy luster, translucent edges, and no cleavage, with irregular conchoidal fracture. The specimen appears massive rather than visibly crystalline.

Identified October 6, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness 7 Mohs; cream to honey-brown, vitreous to waxy luster, translucent edges, and no cleavage, with irregular conchoidal fracture. The specimen appears massive rather than visibly crystalline.

Formation & geological history

Quartz forms when silica-rich fluids cool in veins or cavities, or crystallizes from magma; iron oxides can stain it brown. Quartz occurs in rocks of many ages, so this specimen’s age and precise formation setting cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Quartz is used in glass, electronics, abrasives, and decorative objects; attractive pieces are collected or fashioned into ornaments.

Geological facts

Quartz is among Earth’s most abundant minerals and resists weathering, making it common in many sediments and rocks.

Field identification & locations

Look for hardness that scratches glass, lack of cleavage, and conchoidal fracture; common worldwide in veins and pegmatites. The image is consistent with stained quartz, though visual identification is not definitive.