mineral

Quartz vein fragment

Quartz (SiO₂), likely milky quartz with iron-oxide staining

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Mohs hardness 7; translucent gray-white to honey-brown, vitreous luster, irregular fracture, no obvious cleavage, and typically hexagonal crystal structure. The rough, elongated form appears to be quartz-bearing vein material rather than a complete crystal.

Identified September 1, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed when silica-rich hydrothermal fluids filled fractures in host rock and crystallized, commonly during igneous or metamorphic activity; its exact geological age and host rock cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in glass, ceramics, abrasives, electronics, and engineered stone; attractive pieces may be sold as cabinet specimens or lapidary material, though this fragment appears modestly gem-quality.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and has piezoelectric properties, producing an electrical charge under mechanical stress.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its glassy appearance, hardness sufficient to scratch ordinary glass, lack of cleavage, and white streak; common worldwide in hydrothermal veins, granite, and metamorphic rocks. A definitive identification would benefit from a hardness and acid-free streak test.