mineral

Milky quartz (rough quartz pebble)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically white to cream, translucent, and vitreous to waxy; Mohs hardness 7, no cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and a hexagonal crystal structure. The specimen appears massive and weathered rather than distinctly crystalline.

Identified August 25, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids crystallize in veins, cavities, or pegmatites; its geological age can range from Precambrian to recent depending on the host rock. Commonly liberated by weathering and transported as stream or beach gravel.

Uses & applications

Used for glass, ceramics, abrasives, engineered stone, and silicon production; attractive translucent pieces are collected or polished, though this small rough specimen has modest commercial value.

Geological facts

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

Field identification & locations

Identify by its glassy translucence, lack of cleavage, hardness (it scratches ordinary glass), and conchoidal fracture; common worldwide, especially in quartz veins and granitic terrains.