mineral

Milky quartz

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically white to translucent with a glassy-to-waxy luster, uneven fracture, and no cleavage; Mohs hardness 7, specific gravity about 2.65, and hexagonal crystal structure. The specimen appears massive and irregular rather than well-crystallized.

Identified August 23, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich hydrothermal fluids fill fractures and cavities, or crystallizes in igneous and metamorphic rocks. Its precise age and locality cannot be determined from the image; quartz ranges from ancient Precambrian to modern formations.

Uses & applications

Used in glass, ceramics, abrasives, foundry materials, engineered stone, and electronics; attractive translucent pieces may be used decoratively or as inexpensive lapidary material.

Geological facts

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

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its white translucency, glassy luster, hardness sufficient to scratch ordinary glass, and lack of cleavage; a steel knife should not scratch it. Common worldwide, especially in quartz veins, pegmatites, and metamorphic terrains.