mineral

Milky quartz / quartz-rich vein rock

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂), likely massive quartz with minor iron-staining or feldspar

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 7 Mohs; white to gray, translucent patches, vitreous-to-waxy luster, granular massive texture, no obvious cleavage, conchoidal fracture, specific gravity about 2.65. The rounded edges suggest natural weathering or light tumbling.

Identified September 12, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich hydrothermal fluids fill fractures and crystallize, commonly in veins within igneous or metamorphic rocks; age depends on its host geology and may range from Paleozoic to recent. Weathering produced the rounded surface.

Uses & applications

Used for aggregates, glass and ceramics, silica products, and decorative stone; attractive translucent pieces are sold as inexpensive mineral specimens or lapidary material.

Geological facts

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

Field identification & locations

Identify by its glassy appearance, lack of cleavage, hardness sufficient to scratch ordinary glass, and resistance to a steel blade. Common in quartz veins worldwide, including Brazil, the United States, Madagascar, and Europe.