mineral

Milky quartz fragment

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically white to translucent with a vitreous-to-waxy luster, conchoidal fracture, and no cleavage; Mohs hardness 7, trigonal crystal structure, and specific gravity about 2.65. The specimen appears irregular and water-worn or freshly fractured, with possible minor iron staining.

Identified September 22, 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; individual fragments can be geologically ancient, commonly Precambrian to Mesozoic depending on host rock. Exact age and locality cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Common quartz is used in glass, ceramics, abrasives, engineered stone, and electronics; attractive translucent pieces are collected but generally have little jewelry value unless clear and well formed.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is resistant to weathering, so it commonly accumulates in stream gravels and soils.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by hardness— it should scratch ordinary glass—and its lack of cleavage, pale translucent appearance, and conchoidal fracture. Common worldwide, especially in hydrothermal veins, granites, pegmatites, and metamorphic terrains.