mineral

Milky quartz cluster

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White, translucent-to-opaque quartz with a glassy to sugary luster and irregular fracture; Mohs hardness 7, trigonal crystal structure, no cleavage, and specific gravity about 2.65. The granular texture may indicate a druzy or weathered quartz aggregate.

Identified August 11, 2026More mineral →

Explore Milky quartz cluster in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich hydrothermal fluids crystallize in cavities and veins, or through recrystallization in metamorphic rocks; individual specimens may range from Precambrian to recent geologic ages. Common worldwide in quartz veins, pegmatites, and geodes.

Uses & applications

Used for glass, ceramics, electronics, abrasives, and engineered stone; attractive pieces are sold as display specimens, though this example appears primarily collectible rather than gem quality.

Geological facts

Milky color results from microscopic fluid inclusions, fractures, or impurities scattering light. Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant and chemically resistant minerals.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by hardness—quartz scratches ordinary glass—and its lack of cleavage; avoid confusing it with calcite, which is softer and may fizz weakly in acid. Common localities include Brazil, Madagascar, the United States, and the Alps.