mineral

Milky quartz with iron-oxide staining

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂), likely massive or coarsely crystalline; brown areas are limonite/goethite staining

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 7 Mohs; white to translucent, vitreous-to-greasy luster, uneven fracture, no cleavage, hexagonal crystal structure. The specimen appears to be a rough, partly translucent quartz fragment with rusty brown inclusions or surface coatings.

Identified August 9, 2026More mineral →

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At a glance

Common name: Milky quartz with iron-oxide staining
Scientific name: Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂), likely massive or coarsely crystalline; brown areas are limonite/goethite staining
Category: mineral
Identified: August 9, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

Approximately $3–$20 for a common rough hand specimen; $20–$75 if unusually large, well-crystallized, or locality-documented.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids or late-stage igneous veins, commonly alongside feldspar and iron-bearing minerals. Its exact geological age cannot be determined from the photograph; formation may range from Precambrian to recent depending on locality.

Uses & applications

Common quartz is used in glass, ceramics, abrasives, foundry materials, engineered stone, and electronics; attractive pieces are sold as mineral specimens. This example is primarily a collector specimen rather than gem material.

Geological facts

Milky quartz becomes cloudy from microscopic fluid inclusions, fractures, or defects. Iron oxides commonly produce the yellow-brown to reddish staining visible along cracks and grain boundaries.

Field identification & locations

Test with a steel file or glass: quartz scratches glass and resists a steel knife. Common worldwide in quartz veins, granitic pegmatites, metamorphic rocks, and placer deposits; inspect for distinct crystal faces and conchoidal fracture.