mineral

Milky quartz (rough quartz specimen)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White to pale gray, cloudy and nonmetallic with a glassy-to-dull luster; hardness 7 on the Mohs scale, trigonal crystal structure, and no cleavage, breaking with curved or irregular fracture. The image suggests a rough, compact specimen, but its identity cannot be confirmed visually alone.

Identified October 7, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz commonly forms when silica-rich fluids crystallize in veins or cavities, and also occurs in many igneous and metamorphic rocks. Quartz is abundant in rocks of many geological ages; the specimen’s age and exact formation setting cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Quartz is used in glass, electronics, abrasives, and construction materials; clear, attractive crystals are collected and sometimes used in jewelry.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is piezoelectric, producing an electrical charge when mechanically stressed.

Field identification & locations

Look for hardness near 7, lack of cleavage, and a glassy fracture; quartz can scratch ordinary glass. It occurs worldwide, especially in veins and pegmatites; a photo alone cannot distinguish it confidently from other pale minerals.