mineral

Milky quartz with iron staining

Quartz (SiO₂), likely iron-oxide-stained

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 7 Mohs; white to cream with tan-orange staining, vitreous to dull luster, hexagonal crystal system, and no cleavage; irregular fracture. The specimen appears massive and opaque to slightly translucent.

Identified September 29, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz commonly crystallizes from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids or forms in veins and pegmatites; iron oxides can stain it during later weathering. The image alone cannot determine its geological age or exact source.

Uses & applications

Commonly collected; quartz is also used in glassmaking, abrasives, electronics, and as a gemstone when clear or attractively patterned.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and resists weathering, so it occurs in many rock types and sediments.

Field identification & locations

Look for its glassy surfaces, lack of cleavage, and ability to scratch glass; the rusty coloration is likely a surface coating rather than the quartz itself. Common worldwide, especially in veins and granitic terrains.