mineral

Milky quartz (raw quartz fragment)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 7 Mohs; colorless to milky white, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal structure, and no cleavage, with conchoidal fracture. The cloudy appearance results from microscopic fluid inclusions or fractures.

Identified August 16, 2026More mineral →

Explore Milky quartz (raw quartz fragment) in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids crystallize in veins, cavities, and igneous or metamorphic rocks; specimens may range from ancient Precambrian to geologically recent. The irregular fragment appears naturally broken rather than fully crystalline.

Uses & applications

Common quartz is used in glass, ceramics, engineered stone, electronics, abrasives, and construction aggregate; attractive clear pieces are collected or used decoratively. This small rough fragment has minimal commercial value.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is piezoelectric, producing an electrical charge under pressure. It can be distinguished from calcite because quartz does not readily scratch with a steel knife and does not fizz in dilute acid.

Field identification & locations

Common worldwide, especially in hydrothermal veins and granitic or metamorphic terrains; major localities include Brazil, Madagascar, the United States, and the Alps. Look for glassy luster, conchoidal fracture, lack of cleavage, and hardness sufficient to scratch ordinary glass.