mineral

Milky quartz fragment

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Likely hardness 7 Mohs, white to translucent appearance, vitreous to waxy luster, and no obvious cleavage; quartz has a hexagonal crystal structure, though this appears broken or tumbled. The granular texture and pinkish tint may reflect iron staining or minor inclusions.

Identified August 19, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz forms in igneous, metamorphic, and hydrothermal environments through crystallization from silica-rich fluids or magma. Its exact age and source cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Common quartz is used in glass, ceramics, electronics, abrasives, and engineered stone; attractive pieces are sold as low-cost mineral specimens or cabochons.

Geological facts

Quartz breaks with conchoidal fracture and commonly produces sharp, irregular fragments. The specimen could alternatively be a pale quartz-rich rock, but the image is insufficient for a definitive identification.

Field identification & locations

Test it against steel or glass: genuine quartz should scratch ordinary glass and resist a steel blade. Common locations include pegmatites, quartz veins, hydrothermal deposits, and alluvial gravels.