mineral

Milky quartz

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically white to translucent with a glassy-to-waxy luster, hardness 7 Mohs, no cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and hexagonal crystal structure. This specimen appears rough, massive, and possibly naturally weathered or lightly worked.

Identified September 19, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids crystallize in veins, cavities, and igneous or metamorphic rocks; most examples are Precambrian to recent. Common sources include Brazil, Madagascar, the United States, and worldwide quartz-bearing terrains.

Uses & applications

Used for ornamental stone, carvings, countertops, glass and silica products; attractive translucent pieces are collected but usually have modest gem value.

Geological facts

Its cloudy appearance results from microscopic fluid inclusions, fractures, or mineral impurities rather than a separate quartz species.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its glassy appearance, lack of cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and ability to scratch ordinary glass; it should not fizz in dilute acid. The jagged, layered form could also represent quartz vein material or quartz-rich chalcedony, which cannot be confirmed from the image alone.