mineral

Milky quartz (rough quartz fragment)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically Mohs hardness 7, white to translucent with a vitreous-to-waxy luster; lacks cleavage and breaks with conchoidal fracture. The specimen appears irregular and weathered, with possible surface staining or inclusions.

Identified September 4, 2026More mineral →

Explore Milky quartz (rough quartz fragment) in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids crystallize in veins, cavities, and igneous or metamorphic rocks; quartz is common from Precambrian through recent geological settings. Exact age and locality cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Used in glass, ceramics, electronics, abrasives, and engineered stone; attractive translucent pieces are collected or used decoratively. This small rough fragment has little commercial value.

Geological facts

Milky appearance results from microscopic fluid inclusions, fractures, or dispersed mineral impurities that scatter light. Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant and chemically resistant minerals.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its glassy appearance, lack of cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and ability to scratch ordinary glass; a steel nail should not scratch it. Common worldwide, especially in quartz veins, granites, pegmatites, and metamorphic rocks.