mineral

Milky Quartz with inclusions

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale. Color: White/milky with grey/dark mineral inclusions and brown oxidation/staining. Luster: Vitreous to greasy. Crystal structure: Trigonal (hexagonal system). Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified April 5, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from hydrothermal solutions or cooling magma in veins and pegmatites. This specimen likely came from a metamorphic or igneous host before being eroded and weathered into its current water-worn shape.

Uses & applications

Common quartz is used in construction, glassmaking, and electronics. Because this is a rough field specimen, its primary use would be for educational collecting or as landscaping material.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. The 'milky' appearance is caused by tiny bubbles of gas or liquid trapped during crystal formation.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it will scratch glass), lack of cleavage, and translucent edges. Found worldwide in nearly every geological environment, especially in riverbeds or mountain trails.