mineral

Milky quartz fragment

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically hardness 7 Mohs, white to translucent, with a vitreous to waxy luster and conchoidal fracture; it has no cleavage and a trigonal crystal structure. The uneven broken surfaces and translucent white appearance are consistent with quartz, though the photograph cannot confirm identity with certainty.

Identified September 20, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich igneous and hydrothermal fluids and commonly occurs in veins, pegmatites, and metamorphic rocks. Quartz is extremely widespread and ranges from Precambrian to modern geological settings.

Uses & applications

Used in glass, ceramics, electronics, abrasives, and engineered stone; attractive pieces are used as inexpensive collecting specimens and ornamental material.

Geological facts

Milky quartz gets its opacity from microscopic fluid inclusions, fractures, or defects. It is often confused with calcite, which is softer and reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid.

Field identification & locations

Look for glassy luster, conchoidal fracture, lack of cleavage, and inability to scratch it with a steel knife; a quartz crystal should scratch ordinary glass. Common worldwide, especially in vein deposits.