mineral

Milky quartz with iron staining

Quartz, SiO₂

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Usually Mohs hardness 7, vitreous to dull luster, white to cream with pinkish-brown iron-oxide staining; massive rather than visibly crystalline, with no cleavage and conchoidal fracture. The photo suggests a small rough quartz fragment, but visual identification is not definitive.

Identified October 16, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz commonly forms as silica-rich fluids cool in veins or cavities and also occurs in igneous and metamorphic rocks. Its age and precise formation environment cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Quartz is used in glassmaking, electronics, and as a decorative or lapidary material; this small rough piece has little jewelry value unless it proves especially attractive when cut.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and has a distinctive hardness that lets it scratch glass.

Field identification & locations

Look for glassy fracture, lack of cleavage, and resistance to scratching; iron oxides can create pink, tan, or rusty patches. Common worldwide in veins and many rock types.