mineral

Milky quartz with iron-oxide staining and dark matrix

Quartz (SiO₂), likely with hematite/goethite and minor feldspar or mica

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White to translucent, glassy-to-waxy luster, irregular granular texture, and no obvious cleavage; quartz hardness is 7 Mohs and specific gravity about 2.65. The rusty brown and black areas are likely iron oxides or other matrix minerals.

Identified August 9, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Likely formed in a hydrothermal quartz vein or altered pegmatitic rock, where silica-rich fluids crystallized in fractures and later weathering produced iron staining. A precise geological age and locality cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Primarily a collector specimen; quartz is widely used in glass, electronics, abrasives, and engineered stone, while iron oxides provide mineral pigments.

Geological facts

Quartz commonly shows conchoidal fracture rather than cleavage and can scratch ordinary glass. The porous, mottled appearance suggests weathered matrix rather than a single pure crystal.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its hardness, glassy fracture, pale translucency, and resistance to dilute acid; a steel file should not easily scratch quartz. Common occurrences include quartz veins, pegmatites, and hydrothermal districts worldwide.