mineral

Quartz-rich rock fragment, likely milky quartz

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂), possibly an iron-stained quartz vein fragment

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Whitish to translucent, glassy to sugary luster, irregular fracture, and no obvious cleavage. Quartz has Mohs hardness 7 and specific gravity about 2.65; the brown areas may be iron-oxide staining or attached weathered matrix.

Identified August 13, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Most likely formed in a hydrothermal quartz vein or pegmatitic rock, then weathered and broken loose. Precise age cannot be determined from the photograph; quartz veins in the northeastern Minnesota region commonly formed during Precambrian geologic events.

Uses & applications

Common quartz has low commercial value as a tiny specimen, though clear crystals can be collectible and quartz is widely used in glass, ceramics, electronics, abrasives, and engineered stone.

Geological facts

The specimen appears geological rather than manufactured, but its small size and limited visible crystal faces prevent confident species-level identification. It could also be quartz-bearing granitic or metamorphic debris.

Field identification & locations

Likely regional possibilities near 46.7°N, 92.0°W include quartz vein material, granite, gneiss, or metamorphic float. Test with a steel knife: quartz should resist scratching; a glass-scratch test is useful but not definitive. A closer image and a fresh broken surface would help distinguish quartz from calcite or feldspar.