mineral

Milky quartz fragment (likely quartz-rich mineral)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Mohs hardness 7; white to translucent, vitreous-to-waxy luster, commonly hexagonal crystal structure, and no cleavage. The rounded, frosted edges suggest abrasion or weathering, though the piece could also be tumbled glass; the image alone is not definitive.

Identified September 13, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich igneous, metamorphic, and hydrothermal fluids, forming from Precambrian to present times. Milky color results from microscopic fluid inclusions or fractures.

Uses & applications

Used in glass, ceramics, electronics, abrasives, engineered stone, and lapidary work; attractive clear or colored varieties are used as gemstones.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and strongly scratches ordinary glass. A scratch test and examination of conchoidal fracture can distinguish it from many look-alikes.

Field identification & locations

Common in veins, granite, pegmatites, quartzite, and alluvial deposits worldwide. Test whether it scratches glass but not steel, and inspect with magnification for natural crystal features; a sharp, uniformly conchoidal fragment may instead be glass.