mineral

Milky quartz rough fragment

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically hardness 7 Mohs, white to translucent, with a glassy luster and no cleavage; it has a hexagonal crystal structure, though this fragment appears massive and fractured. The brownish areas may be iron-oxide staining or reflections, and the apparent sparkles are likely quartz fracture surfaces.

Identified August 20, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids, pegmatites, and igneous rocks, and can also grow in veins; its formation age depends on its host deposit, commonly ranging from Precambrian to modern. The specimen appears naturally broken rather than strongly polished.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, ceramics, electronics, abrasives, and engineered stone; attractive transparent pieces are used as decorative or lapidary material. This small rough fragment has little commercial value.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is a major component of granite, sandstone, and many veins. It commonly shows conchoidal fracture and can scratch ordinary window glass.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its hardness, glassy appearance, lack of cleavage, and conchoidal fracture; a steel knife should not scratch it, while quartz can scratch glass. Common sources include hydrothermal veins, pegmatites, and river gravels worldwide.