mineral

Iron-stained quartz (likely milky quartz)

Quartz, SiO₂; brown coloration likely from iron-oxide staining

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Opaque to translucent white-gray areas with rusty brown staining and a vitreous luster; quartz is hardness 7 Mohs, has a trigonal crystal structure, no cleavage, and uneven to conchoidal fracture. The specimen’s exact properties cannot be confirmed from the image alone.

Identified September 30, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz commonly forms when silica-rich fluids fill fractures or when magma cools; iron oxides can stain it during later weathering. Its geological age and original formation environment cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Commonly collected; quartz is also used in glassmaking, abrasives, electronics, and decorative stone. This rough, iron-stained piece is unlikely to have significant jewelry value.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and resists weathering, so it often remains after surrounding rock breaks down.

Field identification & locations

Look for glassy luster, hardness sufficient to scratch glass, no visible cleavage, and irregular fracture surfaces; rusty coatings suggest iron oxides. Quartz occurs worldwide in veins and many rock types.