metamorphic

Quartz vein in host rock

Milky quartz (SiO₂) with likely metamorphic country rock, possibly gneiss or schist

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

The specimen is white to gray, opaque and glassy-to-dull, with irregular fractures and a massive, non-cleavable texture. Quartz has Mohs hardness 7, a trigonal crystal structure, and specific gravity about 2.65; the photograph does not establish the host-rock minerals or exact rock type.

Identified September 23, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Likely formed as silica-rich fluid filled fractures and crystallized as a quartz vein, potentially during regional metamorphism. The San Bernardino area includes diverse, old crystalline rocks, but this specimen’s age and precise origin cannot be determined visually.

Uses & applications

Quartz is used in glass, electronics, and industrial abrasives; attractive vein material may be cut or polished for decorative objects or collected as a field specimen.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and commonly forms veins that cut across older rocks.

Field identification & locations

Look for hardness sufficient to scratch glass, no cleavage, and white streak; a knife should not readily scratch quartz. Quartz veins occur widely in Southern California’s crystalline terrain, but identifying the surrounding rock would require a closer view or tests.