mineral

Milky quartz fragment

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Usually white to translucent with a vitreous-to-waxy luster; Mohs hardness 7, no cleavage, conchoidal fracture, hexagonal crystal structure, and specific gravity about 2.65. The irregular granular texture suggests a rough, naturally broken piece rather than a complete crystal.

Identified August 10, 2026More mineral →

Explore Milky quartz fragment in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich igneous, hydrothermal, and metamorphic fluids; milky coloration results mainly from microscopic fluid inclusions and fractures. Its exact geological age and source cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in glass, ceramics, electronics, abrasives, engineered stone, and construction aggregate; attractive translucent pieces are collected or used decoratively, though this specimen appears low-grade.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is highly resistant to weathering, commonly accumulating in stream gravels and sedimentary deposits.

Field identification & locations

Likely quartz if it scratches glass or steel and shows no fizz with dilute hydrochloric acid; unlike calcite, it will not react. Common worldwide, especially in granite, pegmatite, quartz veins, and alluvial deposits.