mineral
Likely milky quartz
Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectThe small, rough cream-white specimen appears opaque and irregular, with a vitreous-to-dull luster; quartz has Mohs hardness 7, a trigonal crystal structure, and no cleavage, breaking with a curved or uneven fracture. The photo does not show diagnostic crystal faces, so identification is tentative.
Identified More mineral →
Explore Likely milky quartz in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
The small, rough cream-white specimen appears opaque and irregular, with a vitreous-to-dull luster; quartz has Mohs hardness 7, a trigonal crystal structure, and no cleavage, breaking with a curved or uneven fracture. The photo does not show diagnostic crystal faces, so identification is tentative.
Formation & geological history
Quartz commonly forms when silica-rich fluids cool and crystallize in veins or fractures, and also occurs in many igneous and metamorphic rocks; it spans a vast range of geological ages.
Uses & applications
Quartz is used in glass, electronics, abrasives, and jewelry; attractive pieces may be collected or polished.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and its hardness lets it scratch ordinary glass.
Field identification & locations
Look for glass-scratching hardness, lack of cleavage, and uneven fracture; quartz occurs worldwide, especially in veins and pegmatites. The specimen’s exact source cannot be determined from the image.
More like this
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