mineral

Milky quartz fragment

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically colorless to white, translucent, and glassy to greasy-lustrous, with irregular fracture rather than cleavage; Mohs hardness 7, trigonal crystal structure, and specific gravity about 2.65. The image is somewhat blurred, so identification is based on appearance and is not definitive.

Identified September 20, 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 and hydrothermal fluids and commonly occurs in veins, cavities, and metamorphic rocks. It forms from Precambrian to modern geological ages and is widespread worldwide.

Uses & applications

Common quartz is used in glassmaking, ceramics, abrasives, electronics, and engineered stone; attractive crystals are collected, though this small fragment has minimal commercial value.

Geological facts

Milky color results from microscopic fluid inclusions, fractures, or impurities scattering light. Quartz is highly resistant to weathering and often survives as sand or alluvial pebbles.

Field identification & locations

Look for hardness sufficient to scratch ordinary glass, a glassy luster, conchoidal fracture, and lack of obvious cleavage. Common sources include Brazil, Madagascar, the United States, and quartz veins worldwide.