mineral

Milky Quartz with Iron Inclusions

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to translucent with orange/brown iron staining (limonite/hematite); Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified July 11, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms from the cooling of silica-rich hydrothermal fluids in veins or pegmatites. The orange coloration is caused by water-borne iron minerals seeping into micro-fractures over geological time.

Uses & applications

Used in glass manufacturing, as a source of silicon for electronics, in construction as decorative stone/aggregate, and as a popular specimen for collectors.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Specimens like this are often referred to as 'Gold Quartz' incorrectly by novices, though quartz veins are frequent host rocks for real gold deposits.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (it will easily scratch glass), its conchoidal (shell-like) fracture, and lack of cleavage. Often found in mountainous regions or creek beds downstream from quartz veins.

Other mineral specimens

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Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)

Arenite (SiO2 based)

sedimentary

Sandstone with Mineral Veining or Crust

Sedimentary Sandstone (mostly SiO2 with Fe2O3 tinting)

sedimentary

Schist

Metamorphic

Epidote

Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)

metamorphic

Gypsum (variety Selenite or Alabaster)

Calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4·2H2O)

Mineral

Nephrite Jade

Nephrite

Mineral/Rock