mineral

Milky quartz fragment

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 7 Mohs; white to translucent, vitreous-to-waxy luster, hexagonal crystal structure, and no true cleavage (conchoidal fracture). The specimen appears massive and weathered, possibly with minor iron staining or surface coating.

Identified September 8, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Likely formed in a hydrothermal quartz vein or igneous rock cavity, then broken and naturally abraded; quartz ranges from Precambrian to modern geological ages. Exact identification is limited by the single image.

Uses & applications

Used in glass, ceramics, abrasives, electronics, and engineered stone; attractive milky quartz is collected but rarely used as a gemstone.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is chemically resistant, allowing it to persist in sediments and weathered landscapes.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its glassy fracture, lack of cleavage, and ability to scratch ordinary glass; it commonly occurs worldwide in veins, granite, pegmatite, and river gravels. A hardness or acid test can help distinguish it from calcite.