mineral

Milky quartz with dark host-rock inclusions

Quartz (SiO₂), likely in a granitic or metamorphic matrix

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White to translucent, vitreous luster, irregular fracture, and no obvious cleavage; Mohs hardness 7, specific gravity about 2.65. The dark material may be mica, amphibole, or another host-rock mineral.

Identified August 12, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystallized from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids or cooling magma, with the dark inclusions inherited from the surrounding rock. The specimen’s exact geological age and locality cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Common quartz is used in glass, ceramics, abrasives, engineered stone, and electronics; attractive pieces are collected or used decoratively. This small rough specimen has limited commercial value.

Geological facts

Milky quartz appears cloudy because microscopic fluid inclusions, fractures, or mineral impurities scatter light. A steel knife should not scratch it, while quartz can scratch ordinary glass.

Field identification & locations

Likely locations include granitic pegmatites, quartz veins, and metamorphic terrains worldwide. Confirm with a scratch test, glass streak test, and close inspection for quartz’s conchoidal fracture; identification is approximate from the photograph.