mineral

Milky quartz crystal fragment

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically Mohs hardness 7, white to translucent, with a vitreous luster and hexagonal crystal structure; quartz has no true cleavage and shows conchoidal fracture. The rounded, irregular piece appears naturally fractured or tumbled, with possible surface abrasion.

Identified September 12, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich hydrothermal fluids or late-stage igneous fluids crystallize in veins, cavities, and pegmatites; quartz occurs from Precambrian rocks to modern deposits. Exact locality and age cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Common quartz is used in glass, ceramics, abrasives, electronics, and engineered stone; attractive translucent pieces are sold as inexpensive mineral specimens or craft material.

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 granite, sandstone, and many metamorphic rocks.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its glassy luster, lack of cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and inability to scratch with a steel nail; it should scratch ordinary glass. Common worldwide, especially in quartz veins, pegmatites, and hydrothermal deposits.