mineral

Milky quartz

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically Mohs hardness 7, white to translucent with a vitreous luster and hexagonal crystal structure; no cleavage, with uneven to conchoidal fracture. The specimen appears to contain rusty-brown iron-oxide staining and possibly mica or other matrix minerals.

Identified October 10, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz commonly crystallizes from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids or grows in fractures and veins; it occurs in rocks of many geological ages. The exact age and setting of this specimen cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Used for decorative stone, ornamental objects, and mineral collecting; industrial quartz is used in glassmaking and electronics.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and resists weathering, so it often persists in soils and stream gravels.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its glassy luster, hardness (it can scratch glass), and lack of cleavage; common in quartz veins worldwide. The pictured rough, translucent white material is consistent with milky quartz, though image-based identification is not definitive.