mineral

Quartz vein specimen, likely milky quartz with iron-stained host rock

Quartz (SiO₂), possibly with chalcedony and sulfide/oxide-bearing matrix

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 7 Mohs; gray to translucent white, vitreous to waxy luster, massive rather than visibly crystalline, with conchoidal fracture and no cleavage. The metallic-looking patches may be sulfides or iron oxides, but the image cannot confirm their identity.

Identified September 10, 2026More mineral →

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At a glance

Common name: Quartz vein specimen, likely milky quartz with iron-stained host rock
Scientific name: Quartz (SiO₂), possibly with chalcedony and sulfide/oxide-bearing matrix
Category: mineral
Identified: September 10, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

Approximately $10-$50 for a common rough specimen; $50-$200+ if the metallic inclusions, locality, or crystal quality prove distinctive.

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

Quartz precipitated from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids filling fractures in older host rock, commonly during mountain-building or volcanic activity; its exact age and locality are undeterminable from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Quartz specimens are collected, while high-purity quartz is used in glass, electronics, abrasives, and engineered stone; metallic inclusions may add collector interest but generally have little industrial value.

Geological facts

The gray translucent material is consistent with massive quartz or chalcedony, and the white coating may be later quartz, calcite, or weathering products. Acid testing, streak, hardness, and microscopy would help separate these minerals.

Field identification & locations

Look for glassy luster, conchoidal fracture, and inability to scratch quartz with a steel knife; quartz scratches glass. Common in hydrothermal veins worldwide, including Brazil, Mexico, the United States, and Australia.