mineral

Milky Quartz with Mica and Pyrite

Quartz (SiO2) with Muscovite (KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2) and Pyrite (FeS2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 7 (Quartz), 2-2.5 (Mica); Color: White, silvery grey, and dark flecks; Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal structure: Trigonal (Quartz) and Monoclinic (Mica); Specific gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 (Quartz), 2-2
Color: White, silvery grey, and dark flecks
Luster: Vitreous to pearly

Identified July 18, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 (Quartz), 2-2.5 (Mica); Color: White, silvery grey, and dark flecks; Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal structure: Trigonal (Quartz) and Monoclinic (Mica); Specific gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins or pegmatites where silica-rich fluids cooled and crystallized, often trapping mica flakes and metallic sulfides during the cooling process. Common in tectonic mountain ranges.

Uses & applications

Primarily of interest to mineral collectors or as a decorative specimen. Quartz is used in glassmaking and electronics; mica is used as an insulator.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. When mica is present in high concentrations, the rock is often classified as a mica schist or part of a pegmatite body.

Field identification & locations

Identify by the milky white translucency, the ability of quartz to scratch glass, and the 'glitter' effect from thin, metallic-looking mica flakes. Often found in riverbeds or mountain outcrops in metamorphic terrains.