mineral

Quartz (Milky/Clear Quartz with Iron Inclusions)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Mohs hardness 7. Translucent to transparent with a vitreous to greasy luster. Hexagonal crystal system, shell-like (conchoidal) fracture, no true cleavage, specific gravity around 2.65. Shows reddish-orange iron oxide staining along fractures.

Identified July 22, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms in a wide variety of geological environments, most commonly in pegmatites, hydrothermal veins, and igneous intrusions, as silica-rich water cools and crystallizes over time.

Uses & applications

Widely used in electronics (piezoelectric applications), glassmaking, abrasives, jewelry, lapidary arts, and as popular educational or mineral collection specimens.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's continental crust. The reddish lines on this specimen are caused by secondary iron oxide (hematite or goethite) penetrating tiny micro-fractures.

Field identification & locations

Identified in the field by its hardness (scratches glass and steel), lack of cleavage, glassy fracture surfaces, and resistance to chemical weathering. Found worldwide in nearly every country.

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