mineral

Iron-stained quartz (likely milky quartz with limonite staining)

Quartz, SiO₂, with iron-oxide/hydroxide coatings (commonly goethite or limonite)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Opaque to cloudy white quartz patches are surrounded by ochre to rusty-brown staining; the surface looks rough and massive, with no obvious crystal faces. Quartz is Mohs 7, vitreous when fresh, has a trigonal crystal structure and no cleavage;…

Identified September 23, 2026More mineral →

Explore Iron-stained quartz (likely milky quartz with limonite staining) in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Likely quartz vein material weathered and stained by iron-rich fluids or oxidized iron-bearing minerals. Quartz veins form in many geological settings and can be of widely differing ages.

Uses & applications

Mostly a collecting specimen; quartz is widely used in glass, electronics, and construction, while attractive iron-stained pieces may be used decoratively.

Geological facts

Iron oxides can color otherwise white quartz yellow, orange, or brown. The image alone cannot confirm whether the rusty material is goethite, hematite, or another iron-bearing coating.

Field identification & locations

Quartz and iron-stained vein material are plausible in the San Bernardino region, but the photo does not establish a specific locality or identity. Check for glassy fracture surfaces and hardness; a steel knife should not readily scratch quartz, though coatings may be softer.