mineral

Quartz crystal (likely milky quartz)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Colorless to cloudy white, with a glassy luster and likely hexagonal crystal structure; hardness 7 Mohs, no cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and specific gravity about 2.65. The image is low-resolution, so crystal faces and transparency are difficult to confirm.

Identified August 11, 2026More mineral →

Explore Quartz crystal (likely milky quartz) in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids crystallize in cavities, veins, pegmatites, or hydrothermal systems; individual crystals may range from geologically recent to billions of years old. Common worldwide, including Brazil, Madagascar, the United States, and China.

Uses & applications

Used for glass, ceramics, abrasives, electronics, and watches; attractive clear specimens are collected, while gem-quality varieties include rock crystal and amethyst. Ordinary cloudy pieces generally have modest value.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is piezoelectric, producing an electrical charge under pressure. Its six-sided prisms and pyramidal terminations are diagnostic when well formed.

Field identification & locations

Identify by hardness— it scratches glass but is not scratched by steel—plus glassy luster and lack of cleavage; avoid confusing it with calcite, which is softer and cleaves readily. The specimen appears to be a small, rough, pale quartz fragment.