mineral

Milky Quartz

Quartz (Silicon Dioxide - SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale; Color: Opaque white to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale
Color: Opaque white to translucent
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified March 16, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale; Color: Opaque white to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of silica-rich magma or from hydrothermal veins. The white color is caused by microscopic inclusions of fluids or gas trapped during the crystal's formation over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, abrasives, and as a source of silicon for electronic components. In construction, it is used for engineered stone countertops and aggregate. In collecting, it is often a decorative stone or'metaphysical' crystal.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in the Earth's continental crust. Ancient Greeks named it 'krustallos' meaning ice, believing it was ice that had frozen so hard it would never melt.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its lack of cleavage, milky white opacity, and its ability to easily scratch glass. Found globally in almost all geological environments, especially in hydrothermal veins and granite outcrops.