mineral

Milky quartz (rough quartz fragment)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically hardness 7 Mohs, white to translucent, with a vitreous to waxy luster and massive, non-crystalline appearance; it has no cleavage and conchoidal fracture. The specimen’s granular, pale appearance is consistent with milky quartz, though image-only identification is provisional.

Identified August 11, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids crystallize in veins, cavities, or igneous rocks; its cloudy appearance results from microscopic fluid inclusions or structural defects. Quartz is common from Precambrian to modern geological settings worldwide.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, ceramics, abrasives, electronics, and engineered stone; attractive pieces are collected or used decoratively, but this specimen appears low-grade for jewelry.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is the defining mineral of many quartz veins and sandstones. Its lack of cleavage and conchoidal fracture help distinguish it from calcite and feldspar.

Field identification & locations

Common in quartz veins, granites, pegmatites, and metamorphic rocks; test cautiously with a steel file or glass—quartz should resist scratching glass. Acid fizzing would instead suggest calcite.