mineral

Quartz (Milky or Cloudy)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: milky white to pale tan; Luster: vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: milky white to pale tan
Luster: vitreous to greasy

Identified June 26, 2026More mineral →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: milky white to pale tan; Luster: vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Commonly forms in hydrothermal veins, pegmatites, and as a primary mineral in igneous rocks like granite. This specific specimen appears to be a river-worn or weathered fragment.

Uses & applications

Used in glass manufacturing, electronics (due to piezoelectric properties), abrasives, and as a common decorative or landscape stone.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in the Earth's continental crust. It is highly resistant to both chemical and physical weathering.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (will scratch glass) and lack of cleavage. Look for a waxy or glassy luster and its inability to be scratched by a steel pocket knife. Found globally in almost all geological environments.