mineral

Milky Quartz with Iron Inclusions

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Translucent white to milky gray with yellowish-brown iron staining; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified July 6, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of silica-rich hydrothermal fluids in veins or pegmatites. The yellow staining is caused by secondary iron oxide (limonite or hematite) leaching into micro-fractures over geological time.

Uses & applications

Used primarily as a decorative tumbled stone, in landscaping, and sometimes as a source of silica for industrial glass making. It is also popular in holistic and metaphysical crystal collections.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. The 'milky' appearance is caused by tiny bubbles of gas or liquid trapped during the crystal's growth.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (will scratch glass), lack of cleavage, and waxy to vitreous luster. Found globally, especially in mountain ranges and stream beds.

Other mineral specimens

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Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)

Arenite (SiO2 based)

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

Granite

Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)

igneous