mineral

Milky quartz fragment

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White, translucent-to-opaque, glassy to dull luster with a sugary granular fracture; Mohs hardness 7, no cleavage, hexagonal crystal structure, and specific gravity about 2.65. The rough surface may reflect broken or weathered quartz rather than visible crystal faces.

Identified September 5, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Typically forms when silica-rich fluids fill fractures or crystallize in igneous and metamorphic rocks; specimens may range from ancient Precambrian to recent hydrothermal deposits. The image alone cannot establish its exact geological age or locality.

Uses & applications

Used as a silica source for glass, ceramics, engineered stone, and electronics; attractive pieces are sold as cabinet specimens, though this fragment has limited jewelry 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

Common in quartz veins, granite, pegmatite, sandstone, and metamorphic rocks worldwide. It should scratch ordinary glass and steel but not be scratched by a steel knife; acid produces no reaction.