mineral

Milky quartz with iron staining and dark mineral inclusions

Quartz (SiO₂), with iron-oxide staining and likely dark mica or other inclusions

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Mostly white to translucent, with rusty orange-brown patches and gray-black inclusions; vitreous to dull luster, no obvious cleavage, Mohs hardness 7, trigonal crystal structure. The image does not allow reliable identification of the dark inclusions.

Identified October 14, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz commonly forms as veins or pockets in igneous and metamorphic rocks when silica-rich fluids cool; the specimen’s geological age and exact host environment cannot be determined from the photo.

Uses & applications

Quartz is used in glass, electronics, and construction; rough milky quartz is also collected and sometimes cut or polished for decorative objects.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and can develop its characteristic hardness even when it appears massive rather than as distinct crystals.

Field identification & locations

Look for hardness sufficient to scratch glass and the absence of cleavage; rusty patches commonly reflect iron-oxide staining. Quartz occurs worldwide in veins and many rock types.