mineral

Milky quartz crystal cluster

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Likely hardness 7 on the Mohs scale; translucent white to colorless with a vitreous luster and hexagonal prismatic crystals. Quartz has no cleavage and uneven to conchoidal fracture; the photograph does not establish its exact identity with certainty.

Identified September 24, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystals grow as silica-rich fluids cool in cavities and fractures, commonly in veins and geodes. Quartz occurs in rocks of many ages, so the specimen’s geological age and precise formation setting cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Quartz is used in glassmaking, electronics, abrasives, and as a gemstone or collector specimen; this pale cluster is mainly decorative or collectible.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and occurs in igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.

Field identification & locations

Look for glassy luster, hardness sufficient to scratch glass, lack of cleavage, and prismatic crystals with pointed terminations. Quartz is widespread worldwide; the image alone cannot confirm locality or distinguish it definitively from similar pale minerals.