mineral
Milky quartz / quartz vein fragment
Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectWhite to translucent, vitreous-to-waxy luster with irregular fracture and no obvious cleavage; Mohs hardness 7 and specific gravity about 2.65. The specimen appears massive and vein-like, with possible iron-oxide staining and minor attached host material.
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Physical properties
White to translucent, vitreous-to-waxy luster with irregular fracture and no obvious cleavage; Mohs hardness 7 and specific gravity about 2.65. The specimen appears massive and vein-like, with possible iron-oxide staining and minor attached host material.
Formation & geological history
Likely formed when silica-rich hydrothermal fluids filled fractures in surrounding rock, later exposed by weathering; its exact geological age cannot be determined from the photograph. Common host settings include igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary terrains.
Uses & applications
Used for glass, ceramics, silicon production, abrasives, and construction aggregate; attractive translucent pieces are collected or occasionally cut for cabochons, though this fragment appears mainly a specimen.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is the defining mineral of many white hydrothermal veins. Its hardness allows it to scratch ordinary glass and steel, while its lack of cleavage produces curved or uneven fractures.
Field identification & locations
Identify it by its glassy translucence, hardness, six-sided crystal habit when developed, and absence of cleavage; a streak test is white. Common locations include hydrothermal veins worldwide, especially Brazil, the United States, Madagascar, and the Alps.
