mineral

Milky quartz (rough quartz fragment)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically white to translucent with a vitreous-to-waxy luster; hardness 7 Mohs, no cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and hexagonal crystal structure. The specimen appears massive and uncrystallized, with a pale pinkish cast that may reflect iron staining or lighting.

Identified August 25, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

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

Uses & applications

Used in glass, ceramics, electronics, abrasives, engineered stone, and ornamental carving; attractive translucent pieces are collected but are generally low-value.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is piezoelectric, producing an electrical charge under pressure.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its glassy appearance, lack of cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and ability to scratch ordinary glass; it should not be confused with calcite, which is softer and cleaves readily. Common worldwide, especially in hydrothermal veins and granite-associated deposits.