mineral
Milky quartz
Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectTypically hardness 7 Mohs, white to translucent, with a glassy-to-waxy luster and hexagonal crystal structure; it has no cleavage and uneven/conchoidal fracture. The specimen appears as a rough, pale translucent fragment, though its exact identity is uncertain from the image alone.
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Physical properties
Typically hardness 7 Mohs, white to translucent, with a glassy-to-waxy luster and hexagonal crystal structure; it has no cleavage and uneven/conchoidal fracture. The specimen appears as a rough, pale translucent fragment, though its exact identity is uncertain from the image alone.
Formation & geological history
Forms when silica-rich fluids crystallize in veins, cavities, and igneous or metamorphic rocks. Quartz occurs from ancient Precambrian rocks to modern hydrothermal deposits.
Uses & applications
Used in glass, ceramics, electronics, abrasives, and engineered stone; attractive pieces are sold as inexpensive mineral specimens or used in lapidary work.
Geological facts
Milky color results from microscopic fluid inclusions, fractures, or impurities scattering light. Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant and chemically durable minerals.
Field identification & locations
Common worldwide, including Brazil, the United States, Madagascar, and the Alps. Confirm with a glass-scratch test (quartz scratches ordinary glass), but avoid testing valuable specimens; the image could also show calcite or another pale mineral.
