mineral

Milky quartz fragment

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White, translucent to opaque, with a glassy to waxy luster; hardness 7 Mohs, no cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and hexagonal crystal structure. The blurred image limits certainty, but the specimen resembles rough milky quartz.

Identified August 15, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids crystallize in cavities, veins, and igneous rocks; many examples formed during hydrothermal activity over a wide range of geologic ages. Commonly occurs with granite, pegmatite, and quartz veins.

Uses & applications

Used as an industrial silica source, in glass and ceramics, abrasives, countertops, and ornamental specimens; attractive transparent pieces may be cut as gemstones.

Geological facts

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

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness, lack of cleavage, glassy fracture, and inability to scratch it with a steel knife; it should scratch ordinary glass. Common localities include Brazil, Madagascar, the United States, and alpine or granitic regions.