metamorphic

Milky quartz-bearing rock, possibly quartzite

Quartz (SiO₂), likely in a quartzite or quartz-rich vein

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White to cream, translucent granular mass with a glassy to sugary luster and irregular fracture; quartz hardness is Mohs 7, with no cleavage and specific gravity about 2.65. The image does not clearly resolve grain boundaries, so exact classification is uncertain.

Identified September 21, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Likely formed from silica-rich hydrothermal veins or metamorphism of quartz sandstone; quartz crystallization commonly occurred during older Precambrian to younger tectonic events, depending on locality.

Uses & applications

Common quartz is used for glass, ceramics, abrasives, engineered stone, and electronics; attractive pieces may be polished or collected. It has limited jewelry value unless transparent, well-crystallized, or unusually colored.

Geological facts

Milky appearance results from microscopic fluid inclusions, fractures, or impurities scattering light. Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is a major component of many igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its pale color, vitreous sparkle, hardness, lack of cleavage, and inability to scratch it with a steel nail (though it should scratch glass). A streak test should be white; acid reaction is absent. Common worldwide in veins, quartzites, and granitic terrains.