mineral

Milky Quartz with Iron Inclusions

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white with orange, red, and brown iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (Trigonal); Cleavage: Indistinct/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Milky white with orange, red, and brown iron staining
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified May 9, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins or as a constituent of igneous rocks. The milky appearance is caused by microscopic fluid inclusions trapped during crystal growth, while the red/orange coloring comes from secondary iron oxide enrichment (hematite or limonite) staining the fractures.

Uses & applications

Used primarily as decorative landscape stone, in glass manufacturing when pure, or tumbled as a collector stone. Highly valued in metaphysical communities as 'Fire Quartz' or 'Hematoid Quartz'.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Its name comes from the German word 'quarz', which originally meant 'hard'. The milky variety is the most common form found in nature.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (will scratch glass), lack of visible cleavage, and 'greasy' or waxy luster on broken surfaces. Often found in riverbeds or as veins within larger rock outcrops.

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