mineral

Weathered quartz-rich rock, likely milky quartz with iron staining

Quartz (SiO₂), possibly quartz vein material or quartzite

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White to translucent, glassy to dull luster, irregular fracture with no obvious cleavage; Mohs hardness 7, trigonal crystal structure, specific gravity about 2.65. Orange-brown areas are likely iron-oxide staining, while gray-blue zones may reflect inclusions or surface weathering.

Identified September 11, 2026More mineral →

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At a glance

Common name: Weathered quartz-rich rock, likely milky quartz with iron staining
Scientific name: Quartz (SiO₂), possibly quartz vein material or quartzite
Category: mineral
Identified: September 11, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $1–$10 as a common rough specimen; potentially $20–$100+ if unusually translucent, well-crystallized, or from a documented locality.

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

Most likely formed as hydrothermal quartz filling a fracture, or as metamorphosed quartz-rich rock; the specimen’s exact age and setting cannot be determined from the image. Iron-bearing groundwater later weathered and stained the surface.

Uses & applications

Quartz is used in glass, ceramics, abrasives, electronics, and engineered stone; attractive pieces are collected or cut as ornamental material. This rough specimen has limited jewelry value unless it shows unusually clear or patterned quartz.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is highly resistant to weathering, commonly surviving as soil and stream-gravel fragments.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by hardness—quartz scratches ordinary glass and is not scratched by a steel knife—plus its lack of cleavage and conchoidal-to-irregular fracture. Common in hydrothermal veins, granites, metamorphic rocks, and many mineral districts worldwide.