mineral

Milky quartz-rich rock

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂), likely massive quartz with minor feldspar or host-rock material

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White to translucent, vitreous-to-pearly luster, irregular fracture, and no obvious cleavage; quartz hardness is Mohs 7, with specific gravity about 2.65. The specimen appears coarse, interlocking, and possibly partly weathered or iron-stained.

Identified August 31, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Likely formed by hydrothermal silica deposition in a vein or as quartz-rich igneous/metamorphic material; quartz crystallized when silica-rich fluids or melts cooled. Its exact geological age and host rock cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Common quartz is used in glass, ceramics, engineered stone, abrasives, and electronics; attractive pieces are sold as decorative or mineral specimens. It is generally not gem quality because of fractures and opaque milky appearance.

Geological facts

Milky color results from microscopic fluid inclusions, fractures, or mineral impurities scattering light. Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is a major component of granite, sandstone, and many veins.

Field identification & locations

Identify by hardness, glassy luster, lack of cleavage, and inability to scratch it with a steel knife; it should scratch ordinary glass. Common worldwide, especially in hydrothermal veins and granitic terrains.