mineral

Milky quartz fragment

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White to translucent, vitreous-to-pearly luster, irregular fracture, and no obvious cleavage; Mohs hardness 7 and specific gravity about 2.65. The granular, sparkly appearance may reflect a small quartz-rich rock fragment rather than a single crystal.

Identified September 9, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids, igneous melts, and metamorphic fluids; this specimen’s exact age and host rock cannot be determined from the image. Commonly occurs in veins, granite, pegmatite, and metamorphic rocks.

Uses & applications

Used in glass, ceramics, electronics, abrasives, and engineered stone; attractive pieces are sold as inexpensive mineral specimens or lapidary material.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is chemically resistant, allowing it to persist in weathered sediments.

Field identification & locations

Likely quartz if it scratches ordinary glass and does not scratch with a steel knife; inspect for glassy luster and conchoidal fracture. Common worldwide, especially in quartz veins and granitic terrains.