mineral

Milky quartz

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically white to translucent with a vitreous-to-waxy luster; hardness 7 Mohs, no cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and hexagonal crystal structure. The specimen appears as a small rough, partly translucent fragment, though its exact identity cannot be confirmed from the image alone.

Identified August 17, 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 common from Precambrian to modern geological settings and is found worldwide.

Uses & applications

Used in glass, ceramics, electronics, abrasives, engineered stone, and occasionally as a decorative or lapidary material.

Geological facts

The cloudy appearance results from microscopic fluid inclusions, fractures, or mineral impurities. Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant and chemically resistant minerals.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its glassy appearance, hardness that can scratch ordinary glass, lack of cleavage, and conchoidal fracture; distinguish from calcite because quartz does not readily react with dilute acid. Common localities include Brazil, Madagascar, the Alps, and many quartz veins worldwide.