mineral

Raw quartz-rich rock, likely milky quartz

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂), possibly quartzite or a quartz-bearing host rock

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White to gray, translucent-to-opaque, with a vitreous to slightly sugary luster and irregular fracture; quartz hardness is Mohs 7, with no cleavage and specific gravity about 2.65. The granular texture suggests intergrown quartz rather than a single crystal.

Identified August 14, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz commonly crystallizes from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids or forms during metamorphism of sandstone into quartzite; its age cannot be determined from the image and may range from Precambrian to recent. It occurs in veins, pegmatites, sedimentary rocks, and metamorphic terrains.

Uses & applications

Used in glass, ceramics, electronics, abrasives, engineered stone, and construction aggregate; attractive clear or colored pieces are collected or cut as gemstones. This rough specimen has modest commercial value.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is piezoelectric, producing an electrical charge under pressure. The specimen may contain minor feldspar or weathered host rock, which prevents confident species-level identification from the photograph alone.

Field identification & locations

Identify quartz by its hardness, lack of cleavage, pale color, and glassy fracture; it can scratch ordinary glass but not be scratched by a steel knife. Common localities include hydrothermal veins, granite pegmatites, and quartzite regions worldwide.