mineral

Massive quartz (likely milky/iron-stained quartz)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 7; white to cream with orange-brown iron-oxide staining; vitreous to greasy luster; translucent edges; lacks visible cleavage and shows conchoidal fracture. Crystals are trigonal, though this specimen is mostly massive and granular.

Identified August 28, 2026More mineral →

Explore Massive quartz (likely milky/iron-stained quartz) 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 formed when silica-rich hydrothermal fluids filled fractures or cavities, later acquiring iron staining during weathering. Its precise age and locality cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Common quartz is used in glass, ceramics, abrasives, engineered stone, and electronics; attractive pieces are sold as décor or mineral specimens. This rough specimen has modest collector value unless locality or crystal quality is exceptional.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is piezoelectric, producing an electrical charge under pressure. The rusty coloration generally reflects hematite or limonite rather than quartz itself.

Field identification & locations

Check for Mohs-7 hardness: it should scratch ordinary glass, while a steel knife will not scratch it. White massive quartz commonly occurs in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites worldwide, including Brazil, Madagascar, the United States, and Europe.