mineral
Milky quartz with iron-oxide staining
Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂), with hematite/goethite inclusions
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 7 Mohs; white to translucent gray with rusty red-brown patches, vitreous to waxy luster, and conchoidal fracture. Quartz is trigonal and lacks cleavage; the rounded shape indicates natural water wear or tumbling.
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Physical properties
Hardness 7 Mohs; white to translucent gray with rusty red-brown patches, vitreous to waxy luster, and conchoidal fracture. Quartz is trigonal and lacks cleavage; the rounded shape indicates natural water wear or tumbling.
Formation & geological history
Quartz formed from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids or within igneous/metamorphic veins; iron oxides later stained fractures and surfaces. The specimen’s precise geological age and locality cannot be determined from the image.
Uses & applications
Common quartz is used in glass, ceramics, abrasives, electronics, and construction aggregate; attractive pieces are sold as décor or low-cost mineral specimens.
Geological facts
The red-brown coloration is typically hematite or goethite rather than the quartz itself. Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant and chemically durable minerals.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its glassy appearance, lack of cleavage, white translucency, rusty staining, and ability to scratch ordinary glass. Common in quartz veins, stream gravels, and weathered igneous or metamorphic terrains worldwide.
