mineral

Raw quartz specimen

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂), likely milky quartz

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White to translucent, vitreous-to-pearly luster with irregular or poorly developed crystal faces; Mohs hardness 7, no cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and specific gravity about 2.65. The granular, layered appearance may indicate quartz intergrown with a carbonate or feldspar mineral.

Identified August 23, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids, pegmatites, and igneous or metamorphic rocks; milky varieties owe their opacity to microscopic fluid inclusions and fractures. Exact age and locality cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in glass, ceramics, electronics, abrasives, and engineered stone; attractive transparent pieces are collected or cut as gemstones. This small rough specimen has little commercial value.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is piezoelectric, producing an electrical charge when mechanically stressed.

Field identification & locations

Common worldwide, especially in veins, cavities, granites, pegmatites, and metamorphic rocks. A steel file should not scratch it; vinegar or dilute acid testing can help detect visible carbonate intergrowth, which would fizz weakly.