mineral

Milky quartz with iron staining

Quartz, SiO₂; likely massive milky quartz with brown iron-oxide staining

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White to translucent, vitreous-to-dull luster, irregular fracture, and no visible cleavage; Mohs hardness 7, hexagonal crystal structure, specific gravity about 2.65. The rusty brown areas likely reflect iron oxides on or within the quartz.

Identified October 12, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz commonly forms when silica-rich fluids cool in veins and fractures, often in igneous or metamorphic settings. The exact age and locality cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Commonly collected as a specimen; quartz is also used in glass, ceramics, electronics, and construction aggregate. This piece appears more suitable for collecting or display than gem cutting.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and resists weathering, so it commonly persists in soils and stream gravels.

Field identification & locations

Look for hardness sufficient to scratch glass, absence of cleavage, and a glassy fracture; iron staining is not diagnostic of a specific locality. The image supports a quartz identification, but does not establish whether the brown material is a coating or included minerals.