mineral

Milky quartz specimen

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂), likely massive milky quartz with possible iron-oxide staining and minor feldspar or mica

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically Mohs hardness 7, white to translucent gray, with vitreous to greasy luster and no cleavage; fractures conchoidally. The specimen appears massive and granular rather than well-crystallized, with cloudy inclusions and pale brown surface staining.

Identified September 13, 2026More mineral →

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At a glance

Common name: Milky quartz specimen
Scientific name: Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂), likely massive milky quartz with possible iron-oxide staining and minor feldspar or mica
Category: mineral
Identified: September 13, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

Approximately $5–$30 for a common rough specimen; $30–$100+ if unusually large, aesthetic, or locality-documented.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich hydrothermal fluids cool in fractures and veins, or crystallizes in igneous and metamorphic rocks. Quartz is common from Precambrian through recent geological environments, and its exact age cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Used for glass, ceramics, engineered stone, abrasives, and silica products; attractive translucent pieces are collected or used decoratively. This rough specimen has modest commercial value unless provenance or exceptional clarity is established.

Geological facts

Milky appearance results from microscopic fluid inclusions, fractures, or defects scattering light. Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is the defining mineral of many quartz veins.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its glassy look, lack of cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and ability to scratch ordinary glass; a steel knife should not scratch it. Common localities include quartz veins worldwide, especially Brazil, Madagascar, the United States, and the Alps.