mineral

White quartz (likely milky quartz)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White, rough, and somewhat translucent with a glassy-to-dull luster; quartz has Mohs hardness 7, a trigonal crystal structure, and no cleavage, breaking with curved or irregular fracture. The photo does not allow reliable confirmation of the specimen’s identity.

Identified October 4, 2026More mineral →

Explore White quartz (likely milky quartz) in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz commonly crystallizes from silica-rich fluids in veins and cavities or forms in igneous and metamorphic rocks; it occurs in rocks of many geological ages. This small piece’s precise formation history cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Quartz is used in glassmaking, electronics, abrasives, and decorative objects; milky quartz is also collected and sometimes used in jewelry.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is chemically resistant to weathering.

Field identification & locations

Look for hardness sufficient to scratch glass, lack of cleavage, and a white streak; common worldwide in veins, pegmatites, and many rocks. A photo alone cannot distinguish quartz from some other white minerals.