mineral

Milky quartz (likely tumbled or naturally worn)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Mohs hardness 7; translucent white to pale gray, vitreous-to-waxy luster, trigonal crystal structure, and no true cleavage. The rounded shape and smooth surface suggest abrasion, polishing, or a broken fragment worn smooth.

Identified August 25, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms in igneous, metamorphic, and hydrothermal veins when silica-rich fluids crystallize; quartz is common from Precambrian rocks to the present. The milky appearance comes from microscopic fluid inclusions or fractures.

Uses & applications

Used for glass, engineered stone, ceramics, abrasives, and electronics; attractive pieces are sold as inexpensive mineral specimens or decorative stones.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is resistant to weathering, often accumulating in stream gravels and beaches.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its glassy appearance, hardness, conchoidal fracture, and inability to scratch it with a steel knife while scratching ordinary glass. Common worldwide, especially in quartz veins and granitic terrains.