mineral

Milky quartz (likely quartzite or massive quartz)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Usually white to translucent with a vitreous-to-waxy luster; hardness 7 Mohs, no cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and hexagonal crystal structure. The specimen appears massive and granular, so individual crystals are not obvious.

Identified August 9, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids crystallize in fractures or when quartz grains recrystallize during metamorphism; such material may range from Precambrian to recent hydrothermal deposits. Exact age and setting cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Common milky quartz is used as a silica source, aggregate, abrasives, and glassmaking material; attractive pieces are sold as low-cost decorative or lapidary specimens.

Geological facts

Its cloudy appearance results from microscopic fluid inclusions, fractures, or dispersed mineral impurities. It is much harder than ordinary glass and should scratch it.

Field identification & locations

Common in hydrothermal veins, pegmatites, quartzite, and many metamorphic rocks worldwide. Confirm with a steel file or glass-scratch test; avoid confusing it with calcite, which is softer and cleaves readily.