mineral

Milky quartz fragment

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Likely Mohs hardness 7, white to translucent, with a vitreous-to-waxy luster and uneven conchoidal fracture; crystal form is obscured by breakage or smoothing. The rounded shape may indicate tumbling or natural abrasion, though the image alone cannot confirm this.

Identified September 4, 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 ranges from Archean to modern. Common sources include hydrothermal veins, pegmatites, and weathered quartz-bearing rocks.

Uses & applications

Used in glass, ceramics, abrasives, electronics, countertops, and ornamental objects; attractive clear or colored varieties are used as gemstones. This small fragment has minimal commercial value.

Geological facts

Milky appearance results from microscopic fluid inclusions, fractures, or impurities scattering light. Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant and chemically resistant minerals.

Field identification & locations

Field identification relies on hardness—scratches ordinary glass—plus lack of cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and a white streak. Common worldwide, especially in granite, quartz veins, beaches, and stream gravels.