mineral

Quartz (likely milky or iron-stained quartz)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 7 on the Mohs scale; pale cream to translucent, with a vitreous to dull luster and a crystalline structure. Quartz lacks cleavage and breaks with an irregular or conchoidal fracture; the small specimen’s exact properties are difficult to confirm from the image.

Identified October 10, 2026More mineral →

Explore Quartz (likely milky or iron-stained 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 in many geological settings, including cooling magma and silica-rich hydrothermal fluids; quartz is found in rocks of many ages. The specimen’s specific age and formation environment cannot be determined from appearance alone.

Uses & applications

Quartz is used in glass, electronics, construction aggregates, and jewelry; this small rough piece is mainly of modest collecting interest.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and occurs in igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.

Field identification & locations

Look for its glassy appearance, lack of cleavage, and ability to scratch ordinary glass; common worldwide, often in veins and quartz-rich rocks. The pictured fragment is not identifiable to a specific quartz variety with confidence.