mineral

Milky Quartz with Iron Staining

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to milky with orange/yellow iron oxide staining; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: White to milky with orange/yellow iron oxide staining
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified July 15, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms in hydrothermal veins or as a component of igneous rocks like granite. The milky appearance is caused by tiny inclusions of gas or liquid. Staining occurs from weathering in iron-rich environments.

Uses & applications

Used as a base material in glassmaking, abrasives, and as a common decorative landscaping stone. Often collected as a beginner mineral specimen.

Geological facts

Quartz is the most abundant and stable mineral on the Earth's surface. The orange color is not part of the crystal itself but is a thin oxidation crust of limonite or hematite.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (it will scratch glass) and lack of cleavage. Foundations of riverbeds and gravel paths are common locations. For collectors, it is ubiquitous and best used for learning basic mineral testing.

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