mineral
Likely milky quartz
Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectCreamy white to pale tan, translucent in places, with a glassy-to-waxy luster and irregular fracture; quartz has Mohs hardness 7 and a trigonal crystal structure, with no cleavage. The image alone does not show enough detail for a certain identification.
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Physical properties
Creamy white to pale tan, translucent in places, with a glassy-to-waxy luster and irregular fracture; quartz has Mohs hardness 7 and a trigonal crystal structure, with no cleavage. The image alone does not show enough detail for a certain identification.
Formation & geological history
Quartz forms when silica-rich fluids crystallize in veins and cavities, and is also common in igneous and metamorphic rocks. It occurs across many geological ages and settings.
Uses & applications
Quartz is used in glass, electronics, construction aggregates, and ornamental objects; attractive pieces may be collected or fashioned into jewelry.
Geological facts
Quartz is among Earth’s most abundant minerals and commonly occurs as milky, translucent masses rather than distinct crystals.
Field identification & locations
Check for hardness: quartz should scratch glass and resist scratching by a steel knife; a fresh surface typically shows no flat cleavage planes. It is widespread worldwide in veins, pegmatites, and many rock types.
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Other mineral specimens
Gneiss or Schist
Gneiss or Mica Schist with Garnet
Metamorphic
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Tumbled granite
Granite, a coarse-grained felsic intrusive igneous rock
igneous
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic
Pegmatite with Tourmaline and Quartz
Igneous Pegmatite
igneous
Granite
Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)
igneous