mineral

Milky quartz (quartz fragment)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically Mohs hardness 7, white to translucent, with a vitreous-to-waxy luster and hexagonal crystal structure; it has no true cleavage and breaks with conchoidal fracture. The specimen appears massive and mildly translucent, though its flat faces may be cut or broken.

Identified August 16, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich igneous, hydrothermal, and metamorphic fluids; milky coloration comes from microscopic fluid inclusions or fractures. Quartz ranges from Precambrian to modern in age and is found in veins, pegmatites, and many rocks.

Uses & applications

Used in glass, ceramics, electronics, abrasives, and engineered stone; attractive translucent pieces are used as inexpensive decorative or lapidary material. This small fragment has limited commercial value.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is the reference mineral for Mohs hardness 7. Its internal inclusions scatter light, producing the characteristic milky appearance.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its glassy translucence, hardness, lack of cleavage, and conchoidal edges; it should scratch ordinary glass but not be scratched by a steel knife. Common sources include Brazil, Madagascar, the Alps, and quartz veins worldwide.