mineral

Milky quartz (probable)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White, opaque to translucent, with a glassy-to-waxy luster and irregular fracture; quartz has Mohs hardness 7, no cleavage, hexagonal crystal structure, and specific gravity about 2.65. The specimen appears rough and rounded, though the image limits certainty.

Identified August 30, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich hydrothermal fluids or pegmatitic melts crystallize in fractures and cavities, commonly in igneous and metamorphic rocks. Quartz is widespread from Precambrian to modern geological settings.

Uses & applications

Used in glass, ceramics, electronics, abrasives, and engineered stone; attractive pieces are collected or used decoratively. This small common specimen has minimal commercial value.

Geological facts

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

Field identification & locations

Common in quartz veins, granite, pegmatites, metamorphic rocks, and stream gravels worldwide. Identification is supported by hardness—scratching ordinary glass—and lack of cleavage; avoid confusing it with calcite, which is much softer.