mineral

Tumbled quartz (likely milky quartz)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically hardness 7 Mohs, white to translucent with a glassy luster and hexagonal crystal structure; no true cleavage, with conchoidal fracture. The specimen appears polished or tumbled and may contain faint iron staining or inclusions.

Identified August 15, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids, pegmatites, and igneous rocks; milky varieties become cloudy from microscopic fluid inclusions. Its age depends on the host deposit, ranging from ancient Precambrian formations to younger veins.

Uses & applications

Common quartz is used for glass, ceramics, abrasives, electronics, and engineered stone; attractive pieces are sold as decorative or lapidary material. This small tumbled specimen has modest collector value.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is piezoelectric, producing an electrical charge under pressure. Its durability makes it a standard hardness-reference mineral.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by hardness—quartz scratches ordinary glass—its translucent body, vitreous luster, and conchoidal fracture. Common sources include Brazil, Madagascar, the United States, and worldwide quartz veins.