mineral
Milky quartz
Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectWhite to translucent, with a glassy-to-dull luster and irregular fracture; hardness 7 on the Mohs scale, trigonal crystal structure, and no cleavage. The specimen appears rough and massive rather than well-crystallized.
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Physical properties
White to translucent, with a glassy-to-dull luster and irregular fracture; hardness 7 on the Mohs scale, trigonal crystal structure, and no cleavage. The specimen appears rough and massive rather than well-crystallized.
Formation & geological history
Forms when silica-rich fluids cool in veins and fractures, or during igneous and metamorphic processes; quartz occurs in rocks of many geological ages.
Uses & applications
Used in glass and electronics manufacturing; attractive pieces are collected, and quartz is sometimes cut for jewelry.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and its crystals are piezoelectric, producing an electrical response under pressure.
Field identification & locations
Identify it by its hardness—it scratches glass—and lack of cleavage; common in quartz veins and many rock types worldwide. The image supports a visual identification as milky quartz, though similar white minerals can be difficult to distinguish from a photo.
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