metamorphic

Quartz vein fragment

Milky quartz (SiO₂), possibly with weathered host rock

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White to pale gray, opaque and rough, with a vitreous-to-dull luster; quartz has Mohs hardness 7, trigonal crystal structure, and no cleavage, breaking with irregular to conchoidal fracture. The image does not show enough detail to identify the tan material or confirm the specimen’s exact composition.

Identified September 25, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz commonly precipitates from silica-rich fluids in fractures in surrounding rock; the fragment may have weathered free from a vein. Vein formation can occur across many geological ages and settings.

Uses & applications

Quartz is used in glass, electronics, abrasives, and construction; attractive pieces may be kept as geological specimens.

Geological facts

Milky quartz appears white because microscopic fluid or gas inclusions scatter light.

Field identification & locations

Look for hardness sufficient to scratch glass, lack of cleavage, and a glassy fracture surface; quartz veins occur widely in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary terrains. The image alone cannot establish locality or host-rock identity.