Rock Identifier
Milky quartz (likely quartz-rich fragment) (Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)) — mineral
mineral

Milky quartz (likely quartz-rich fragment)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White to translucent, vitreous-to-waxy luster with indistinct crystal faces; hardness Mohs 7, no cleavage, conchoidal fracture, hexagonal crystal structure, and specific gravity about 2.65. The rounded edges suggest natural weathering or tumbling, though the blurry image limits certainty.

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Physical properties

White to translucent, vitreous-to-waxy luster with indistinct crystal faces; hardness Mohs 7, no cleavage, conchoidal fracture, hexagonal crystal structure, and specific gravity about 2.65. The rounded edges suggest natural weathering or tumbling, though the blurry image limits certainty.

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids fill fractures and crystallize, or as a component of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Quartz is geologically widespread and ranges from Precambrian to modern formations.

Uses & applications

Used for glass, ceramics, abrasives, electronics, engineered stone, and ornamental specimens; milky quartz has modest jewelry and collecting use.

Geological facts

Its cloudiness commonly results from microscopic fluid inclusions, fractures, or dispersed minerals. It may be confused with calcite, which is softer and shows rhombohedral cleavage.

Field identification & locations

Common in quartz veins, granite, pegmatite, metamorphic rocks, and stream gravels worldwide. A glass-scratch test supports quartz identification; calcite will not scratch glass and fizzes in dilute acid.