mineral

Milky quartz (rough quartz fragment)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically hardness 7 Mohs, white to translucent, with vitreous to waxy luster and hexagonal crystal structure; quartz lacks cleavage and breaks with conchoidal fracture. The specimen appears massive, milky, and slightly stained, with no obvious crystal faces.

Identified August 30, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich hydrothermal fluids fill fractures or during crystallization in igneous and metamorphic rocks; individual specimens may range from ancient Precambrian to recent geologic age. Commonly occurs in veins, pegmatites, and quartz-rich rocks.

Uses & applications

Used in glass, ceramics, engineered stone, electronics, abrasives, and construction aggregate; attractive pieces are sold as decorative or educational specimens rather than jewelry-grade material.

Geological facts

Milky color 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

Often found in white veins and gravel; it scratches ordinary glass and steel but should not be confused with calcite, which is softer and reacts with acid. Common locations include Arkansas, Brazil, Madagascar, and many worldwide quartz-vein districts.