mineral

Raw quartz (milky quartz)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically Mohs hardness 7, vitreous to waxy luster, white to translucent coloration, hexagonal crystal structure, and no cleavage; it breaks with conchoidal fracture. The specimen appears massive and partly translucent, with iron-oxide staining and possibly minor inclusions.

Identified August 28, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids, pegmatites, and igneous or metamorphic rocks; its age depends on the host deposit and may range from ancient Precambrian to younger. The rough, irregular form suggests a broken vein or massive quartz fragment.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, ceramics, abrasives, electronics, engineered stone, and specimen collecting; clear varieties may be cut as gemstones. This cloudy material has modest ornamental value.

Geological facts

Milky quartz is cloudy because microscopic fluid inclusions, fractures, or mineral impurities scatter light. It commonly occurs in quartz veins cutting granite, schist, and other rocks.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its glassy appearance, hardness—scratching ordinary glass—and conchoidal fracture; it should not be scratched by a steel knife. Common worldwide, including Brazil, the United States, Madagascar, and the Alps.