mineral

Milky quartz fragment

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Small, pale-white translucent fragment with a dull-to-glassy luster and likely conchoidal fracture; quartz has hardness 7, no cleavage, hexagonal crystal structure, and specific gravity about 2.65. The rounded edges may indicate abrasion or tumbling.

Identified August 28, 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; milky color results from microscopic fluid inclusions or fractures. Quartz ranges from Precambrian to modern formations and occurs worldwide.

Uses & applications

Used in glass, ceramics, electronics, abrasives, and engineered stone; attractive pieces are collected or used in inexpensive lapidary work and jewelry.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is strongly resistant to weathering. Its lack of cleavage and conchoidal fracture help distinguish it from calcite and feldspar.

Field identification & locations

Common in quartz veins, granite, pegmatites, sandstone, and stream gravels. Test cautiously with a steel file or knife: true quartz generally scratches glass and is not scratched by steel; visual identification alone cannot exclude calcite or glass.