mineral

Milky quartz (likely quartz-rich vein fragment)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically colorless to white and translucent with a vitreous luster; hardness 7, hexagonal crystal structure, no cleavage, and conchoidal fracture. The specimen appears massive and granular rather than showing distinct crystal faces.

Identified August 16, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich hydrothermal fluids deposit quartz in fractures, or during cooling and alteration of igneous rocks; individual quartz crystals may range from ancient Precambrian to modern geological ages. Exact age and locality cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Used in glass, ceramics, engineered stone, electronics, abrasives, and construction aggregate; attractive pieces are collected but usually have modest value.

Geological facts

Milky appearance results from microscopic fluid inclusions, fractures, or impurities scattering light. Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant and durable minerals.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its glassy sheen, white translucent body, hardness sufficient to scratch ordinary glass, lack of cleavage, and conchoidal fracture. Common in quartz veins, granite, pegmatites, and metamorphic rocks worldwide.