mineral

Tumbled milky quartz

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂), commonly called white or milky quartz

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 7 Mohs; white to translucent, vitreous-to-waxy luster, and crystalline trigonal structure. It lacks cleavage and has indistinct conchoidal fracture; the rusty lines likely reflect iron-oxide staining or a minor mineral inclusion.

Identified September 13, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids crystallize in veins, cavities, and igneous or metamorphic rocks. Quartz is common from Precambrian rocks through the present, and this piece has been mechanically tumbled and polished.

Uses & applications

Used for abrasives, glass, ceramics, electronics, countertops, and ornamental objects; attractive pieces are sold as inexpensive lapidary material or healing-stone curios.

Geological facts

Milky appearance results from microscopic fluid inclusions, fractures, or defects that scatter light. Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant and chemically durable minerals.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its white translucency, glassy luster, lack of cleavage, and inability to be scratched by a steel knife; it should scratch ordinary glass. Common worldwide, especially in quartz veins and granitic or metamorphic terrains.