mineral

Milky quartz (massive quartz)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically white to translucent with a glassy-to-waxy luster, irregular massive texture, and no visible cleavage; Mohs hardness 7, specific gravity about 2.65. Brown staining is likely iron oxides in fractures and surface cavities.

Identified August 12, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich hydrothermal fluids fill fractures or when quartz crystallizes in igneous and metamorphic rocks; specimens may range from ancient Precambrian to much younger deposits. This piece appears natural and massive rather than a discrete crystal cluster.

Uses & applications

Used as a silica source for glass, ceramics, foundry materials, abrasives, and engineered stone; attractive pieces are sold as inexpensive geological specimens or carving material.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and has a distinctive conchoidal fracture. The white appearance results from microscopic fluid inclusions, fractures, and light scattering.

Field identification & locations

Common in quartz veins, pegmatites, granite, metamorphic rocks, and placer deposits worldwide. Confirm with a scratch test against glass, while avoiding damage to valuable specimens; iron staining supports a vein origin.