mineral

Quartz (Milky or Common variety)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale. Color: Opaque white to cream (due to microscopic fluid inclusions). Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy. Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal. Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale
Color: Opaque white to cream (due to microscopic fluid inclusions)
Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy

Identified March 25, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of silica-rich magma or from hydrothermal veins. It is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's crust and can be found in rocks from nearly all geological periods, particularly in igneous environments like pegmatites.

Uses & applications

Used in the production of glass, ceramics, and abrasives. In electronics, it provides piezoelectric properties. Common varieties are used for landscape gravel and decorative stones; higher quality specimens are used for jewelry or spiritual collecting.

Geological facts

Quartz is the most diverse mineral on Earth. Milky white quartz gets its appearance from tiny bubbles of gas or liquid trapped during its crystal growth billions of years ago. It is the primary component of most sand.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (it will scratch glass and steel) and lack of cleavage (it breaks in curved, shell-like patterns rather than flat planes). Commonly found in riverbeds, mountains, and as 'vug' fillings in host rocks. To collect, look for high-contrast white stones in gravel pits.

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Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)

Arenite (SiO2 based)

sedimentary

Epidote

Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)

metamorphic

Nephrite Jade

Nephrite

Mineral/Rock

Banded Gneiss (River Rock/Pebble)

Gneiss (specifically a banded variety often found as a river rock)

Metamorphic Rock

Green Apatite on Albite

Fluorapatite [Ca5(PO4)3F] on Albite [Na(AlSi3O8)]

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Epidote

Epidote - Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)3(SiO4)3(OH)

mineral