mineral

Milky quartz (rough fragment)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically Mohs hardness 7, white to translucent with a vitreous-to-waxy luster; trigonal crystal structure and no cleavage, breaking with conchoidal fracture. The pictured rounded, pale fragment may also be tumbled or naturally abraded.

Identified September 7, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids crystallize in veins, cavities, and igneous rocks; milky appearance comes from microscopic fluid inclusions or fractures. Quartz is common from Precambrian rocks to modern veins and sediments.

Uses & applications

Used in glass, ceramics, electronics, abrasives, engineered stone, and construction aggregate; attractive pieces are sold as inexpensive mineral specimens.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and has piezoelectric properties. Clear quartz varieties are valued more highly than ordinary milky quartz.

Field identification & locations

Look for glassy luster, hardness sufficient to scratch steel or ordinary glass, conchoidal fracture, and lack of cleavage; common worldwide, especially in hydrothermal veins and granitic terrains. Exact identification from the photo alone is not certain.