mineral

Milky quartz

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically white to translucent with a vitreous-to-waxy luster; Mohs hardness 7, no cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and hexagonal crystal structure. The specimen appears massive and irregular, with possible iron-oxide staining or inclusions.

Identified September 16, 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. Quartz is widespread from Precambrian terrains to modern hydrothermal systems; its exact age cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Common quartz is used in glass, ceramics, abrasives, engineered stone, and electronics; attractive pieces are sold as mineral specimens. This small rough fragment has modest commercial value.

Geological facts

Milky appearance results from microscopic fluid inclusions, fractures, or dispersed impurities that scatter light. Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant and chemically durable minerals.

Field identification & locations

Identify by hardness— it scratches ordinary glass and is not scratched by a steel knife—plus its lack of cleavage and conchoidal fracture. Common worldwide in quartz veins, pegmatites, granite, and metamorphic rocks.