mineral

Milky quartz fragment

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White to translucent, vitreous luster, irregular fracture, and no visible cleavage; Mohs hardness 7, with typical specific gravity about 2.65. The specimen appears rough and unpolished, though the image is insufficient for certainty.

Identified August 11, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich igneous and hydrothermal fluids and commonly fills veins or occurs in weathered rocks; its formation may span much of Earth’s geological history. The cloudy appearance usually results from microscopic fluid inclusions or fractures.

Uses & applications

Common quartz is used in glass, ceramics, abrasives, engineered stone, and electronics; attractive pieces are collected or cut as ornamental material. This small fragment has little commercial value.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is the defining component of many silica-rich rocks. Milky quartz is distinguished from clear rock crystal by its diffuse internal cloudiness.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by hardness— it should scratch ordinary glass—and its lack of cleavage; calcite, a common look-alike, is much softer and reacts with acid. Common worldwide in quartz veins, pegmatites, and metamorphic rocks.