mineral

Milky quartz with iron-oxide staining

Quartz (SiO₂), likely massive or vein quartz

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White to translucent, vitreous-to-waxy luster, uneven fracture, and no obvious cleavage; Mohs hardness 7 and specific gravity about 2.65. Brown patches are likely iron oxides or included weathered material; the image is not sufficient to confirm crystal form.

Identified August 16, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich hydrothermal fluids fill fractures or when quartz crystallizes in igneous and metamorphic rocks. Quartz is geologically ubiquitous and may range from Precambrian to recent; age cannot be determined visually.

Uses & applications

Common quartz is used in glass, ceramics, abrasives, engineered stone, and electronics; attractive pieces are collected or used ornamentally. This small, cloudy fragment would usually have minimal commercial value.

Geological facts

Milky quartz contains microscopic fluid inclusions, defects, or mineral inclusions that scatter light and create its cloudy appearance. It can scratch ordinary glass, but a steel nail should not scratch it.

Field identification & locations

Common in quartz veins, granites, pegmatites, metamorphic rocks, and placer gravels worldwide. Confirm with a glass-scratch test, conchoidal fracture, and lack of cleavage; avoid testing valuable specimens destructively.