mineral

Milky quartz

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 7 Mohs; white to translucent, vitreous-to-waxy luster, irregular fracture, and no cleavage. The cloudy appearance comes from microscopic fluid inclusions or defects; crystals are trigonal, though this piece is irregular and rough.

Identified August 9, 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 the specimen appears to be a natural broken fragment.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, ceramics, electronics, abrasives, and engineered stone; attractive milky quartz is collected but rarely valuable as jewelry material.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is chemically resistant, making it common in sands and weathered sediments.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its glassy sheen, hardness (it should scratch ordinary glass), lack of cleavage, and white translucent color; common worldwide, especially in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites.