mineral

Milky quartz

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White to translucent, glassy-to-waxy luster, massive rather than visibly crystalline, with irregular conchoidal fracture and no cleavage; Mohs hardness 7, specific gravity about 2.65. The tan areas are likely iron-oxide staining or weathered surface coatings.

Identified August 10, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids fill fractures and cool, commonly in hydrothermal quartz veins within igneous or metamorphic rocks. Quartz is geologically widespread and may range from Precambrian to recent vein formation; it is plausible near 37.5°N, 45.1°E in northwestern Iran.

Uses & applications

Used for glass, ceramics, engineered stone, abrasives, and silica products; attractive translucent pieces are collected, though this specimen is generally not gem quality.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and has a Mohs hardness high enough to scratch ordinary glass. Its cloudy appearance results from microscopic fluid inclusions, fractures, or impurities.

Field identification & locations

Likely identification from its white color, hardness, and uneven fracture, but hardness or streak tests would confirm it: it should scratch glass and leave a white streak. A steel knife should not scratch it; avoid testing on valuable surfaces.