mineral

Quartz-rich breccia or iron-stained milky quartz

Silica-dominated rock; chiefly quartz (SiO₂), possibly with iron oxides/hydroxides and clay or feldspar fragments

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White to translucent gray quartz with honey-brown, rusty inclusions and irregular fractures; vitreous luster, no visible cleavage, conchoidal fracture, Mohs hardness about 7, specific gravity about 2.65. The angular internal fragments suggest brecciation or vein material.

Identified September 5, 2026More mineral →

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At a glance

Common name: Quartz-rich breccia or iron-stained milky quartz
Scientific name: Silica-dominated rock; chiefly quartz (SiO₂), possibly with iron oxides/hydroxides and clay or feldspar fragments
Category: mineral
Identified: September 5, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $1–$10 for a small ordinary specimen; roughly $10–$40 if unusually translucent, patterned, or well-polished.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Likely formed in a hydrothermal quartz vein or silicified fracture zone, where silica-rich fluids deposited quartz and later iron-bearing fluids stained it; age depends on the host terrain. It may also be weathered quartz vein breccia.

Uses & applications

Common material has little commercial value, though it can be used as decorative aggregate or lapidary rough; attractive translucent pieces may be tumbled or cut as display stones.

Geological facts

Quartz commonly shows glassy fracture rather than cleavage and scratches ordinary steel or glass. Brown coloration typically comes from limonite/goethite rather than the quartz itself.

Field identification & locations

Identify by hardness, glassy luster, lack of cleavage, and acid-resistant silica; a streak test should be white, while iron staining may leave a yellow-brown residue. Common in hydrothermal vein districts worldwide.