mineral

Milky quartz fragment

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White, translucent to opaque, with a vitreous-to-waxy luster and irregular fracture; hardness 7 on the Mohs scale, no cleavage, and hexagonal crystal structure. The visible piece appears naturally broken or roughly shaped, possibly tumbled or weathered.

Identified August 29, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids crystallize in veins, cavities, and igneous or metamorphic rocks; quartz is common from Precambrian through modern geological settings. Its milky appearance results from microscopic fluid inclusions or fractures.

Uses & applications

Used in glass, ceramics, foundry materials, electronics, abrasives, and engineered stone; attractive pieces are sold as inexpensive mineral specimens or cabochons.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is highly resistant to weathering, allowing it to accumulate in sediment and soils.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its glassy appearance, lack of cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and ability to scratch ordinary glass; unlike calcite, it does not fizz in dilute acid. Common worldwide, especially in hydrothermal veins and granitic terrains.