mineral

Milky quartz

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Likely hardness 7 Mohs, white to translucent, vitreous-to-waxy luster, and massive rather than visibly crystalline. Quartz has no cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and specific gravity near 2.65.

Identified August 25, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Likely hardness 7 Mohs, white to translucent, vitreous-to-waxy luster, and massive rather than visibly crystalline. Quartz has no cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and specific gravity near 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids crystallize in veins or cavities, or through igneous and metamorphic processes; its exact geological age cannot be determined from the image. The cloudy appearance results from microscopic fluid inclusions or structural defects.

Uses & applications

Common milky quartz is used as a silica source in glass, ceramics, and engineered stone; attractive pieces are collected or used decoratively. It is generally not gem-grade.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is piezoelectric. The specimen’s rounded, irregular shape may indicate natural weathering or tumbling, but the photograph cannot confirm treatment.

Field identification & locations

Common in quartz veins, granite, pegmatites, and metamorphic rocks worldwide, especially in Brazil, Madagascar, the United States, and the Alps. Confirm with a scratch test against ordinary steel or glass and inspect for conchoidal fracture.