mineral

Milky quartz fragments

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White to translucent, vitreous luster, uneven conchoidal fracture, and no obvious cleavage; Mohs hardness 7, specific gravity about 2.65. The irregular broken surfaces and cloudy appearance are consistent with common milky quartz, though the image alone cannot exclude clear calcite or glass.

Identified August 9, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich igneous, hydrothermal, and metamorphic fluids; milky cloudiness commonly results from microscopic fluid inclusions. It forms throughout geologic time, from ancient Precambrian rocks to modern veins and cavities.

Uses & applications

Common quartz is used in glass, ceramics, abrasives, electronics, and engineered stone; attractive pieces are used as inexpensive display or lapidary material.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is the principal component of many granites, sandstones, and quartz veins.

Field identification & locations

Field identification favors hardness sufficient to scratch ordinary glass, lack of cleavage, and conchoidal fracture; calcite is softer and fizzes in dilute acid. Common localities include quartz veins, pegmatites, geodes, and metamorphic rocks worldwide.