mineral
Likely milky quartz fragment
Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectWhite, opaque-to-translucent, with a vitreous to dull luster; quartz has Mohs hardness 7 and a trigonal crystal structure, with no cleavage and conchoidal fracture. The image is soft-focused, so identification is provisional.
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Physical properties
White, opaque-to-translucent, with a vitreous to dull luster; quartz has Mohs hardness 7 and a trigonal crystal structure, with no cleavage and conchoidal fracture. The image is soft-focused, so identification is provisional.
Formation & geological history
Quartz commonly crystallizes from silica-rich fluids in veins and pegmatites, or occurs as fragments weathered from igneous and metamorphic rocks; it forms across many geological ages.
Uses & applications
Quartz is used in glass, electronics, abrasives, and as a decorative or lapidary material; this small rough piece has little commercial value.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is notably resistant to chemical weathering.
Field identification & locations
Check for hardness (it should scratch glass) and lack of cleavage; common worldwide in veins, granites, and river gravels. Its rounded, irregular shape alone is not diagnostic.
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