mineral

Milky quartz / quartz-rich vein rock

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂), likely massive milky quartz with minor iron-oxide staining or host-rock material

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically hardness 7 Mohs, white to gray, translucent at edges, with a vitreous to waxy luster and no cleavage; massive quartz lacks obvious crystal faces and commonly fractures conchoidally. The specimen appears irregular and vein-like, with layered or brecciated textures.

Identified September 13, 2026More mineral →

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At a glance

Common name: Milky quartz / quartz-rich vein rock
Scientific name: Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂), likely massive milky quartz with minor iron-oxide staining or host-rock material
Category: mineral
Identified: September 13, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

Usually $2–$15 for a hand-sized common specimen; unusually clean, colorful, or crystallized examples may sell for $20–$75.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich hydrothermal fluids fill fractures in older rocks, commonly during Precambrian to younger mountain-building events; its exact age cannot be determined from the photograph. Yellowish areas may reflect iron staining or included secondary minerals.

Uses & applications

Used as a silica source for glass, ceramics, abrasives, and engineered stone; attractive pieces are sold as inexpensive lapidary or display specimens rather than jewelry-grade material.

Geological facts

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

Field identification & locations

Common in hydrothermal veins, pegmatites, quartzite, and stream gravels worldwide. Confirm with a scratch test against glass, observing that quartz scratches it; acid will not fizz, unlike calcite.