mineral

Milky quartz fragment

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White to translucent, glassy/vitreous luster with irregular fracture; likely hardness 7 Mohs, no obvious cleavage, and specific gravity about 2.65. The rounded edges suggest natural abrasion or tumbling, though the image is not sufficient for certainty.

Identified September 21, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich igneous and hydrothermal fluids and commonly occurs in veins, pegmatites, and metamorphic rocks. Individual grains may be Precambrian to recent; the specimen’s age cannot be determined visually.

Uses & applications

Common quartz is used in glass, ceramics, foundry materials, abrasives, and electronics; attractive pieces are sold as inexpensive mineral specimens or lapidary material.

Geological facts

Milky appearance results from microscopic fluid inclusions, fractures, or dispersed defects that scatter light. Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant and chemically durable minerals.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its vitreous luster, conchoidal-to-irregular fracture, lack of cleavage, and ability to scratch ordinary glass; a steel nail should not scratch it. Common worldwide, especially in quartz veins and granite-related deposits.