mineral
Milky quartz
Quartz (SiO₂)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 7 Mohs; translucent to opaque white with a glassy-to-waxy luster and irregular fracture. Trigonal crystal structure; no cleavage. The specimen appears naturally broken, with slight yellow-brown surface staining.
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Physical properties
Hardness 7 Mohs; translucent to opaque white with a glassy-to-waxy luster and irregular fracture. Trigonal crystal structure; no cleavage. The specimen appears naturally broken, with slight yellow-brown surface staining.
Formation & geological history
Forms when silica-rich fluids crystallize in veins and cavities, or during cooling of silica-rich magma. Quartz occurs in rocks of many geological ages.
Uses & applications
Used in glass and electronics manufacturing, and as a decorative or lapidary material; common pieces are mainly valued by collectors or as curiosities.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and can scratch ordinary glass.
Field identification & locations
Look for glassy surfaces, no cleavage, and hardness sufficient to scratch glass; it commonly occurs in veins and pegmatites worldwide. Similar-looking calcite is softer and reacts with dilute acid.
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Other mineral specimens
Gneiss or Schist
Gneiss or Mica Schist with Garnet
Metamorphic
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic
Pegmatite with Tourmaline and Quartz
Igneous Pegmatite
igneous
Granite
Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)
igneous
Septarian Pebble
Septarian nodule / Concretion
sedimentary