mineral

Milky quartz-rich rock

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂), possibly quartzite or a quartz-bearing pegmatite fragment

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White to translucent, vitreous-to-dull luster with irregular granular crystals; quartz has Mohs hardness 7, no cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and specific gravity about 2.65. The specimen appears coarse and sugary, with minor gray or dark inclusions.

Identified September 22, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Likely formed by silica-rich hydrothermal veins or crystallization in a pegmatite; if interlocking and massive, it may be quartzite formed by metamorphism of sandstone. Exact geological age and locality cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Quartz is used in glass, ceramics, electronics, abrasives, and engineered stone; attractive pieces are sold as cabinet specimens. Quartzite is widely used as crushed stone, aggregate, and dimension stone.

Geological facts

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

Field identification & locations

Identify with a steel knife or glass scratch test: quartz should scratch glass and resist a knife; it commonly occurs in veins, pegmatites, and metamorphic terrains. Avoid testing valuable specimens destructively.