mineral

Raw quartz (likely milky or smoky quartz)

Quartz, SiO₂

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Translucent gray-brown with a vitreous-to-dull luster and irregular fracture; quartz has a hardness of 7 Mohs, hexagonal crystal structure, no cleavage, and specific gravity about 2.65. The photo does not show enough detail to distinguish smoky quartz from cloudy or weathered quartz.

Identified October 2, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich magma and hydrothermal fluids, and also occurs in veins and many rock types; its age depends on the host deposit and can range from very young to billions of years.

Uses & applications

Quartz is used in glass, electronics, abrasives, and decorative objects; this small rough piece is mainly suitable for collecting.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and commonly forms six-sided crystals, though this fragment has no obvious crystal faces.

Field identification & locations

Look for hardness sufficient to scratch glass, absence of cleavage, and a glassy fracture; quartz occurs worldwide in veins, pegmatites, and sedimentary deposits. Appearance alone cannot confirm identification.