mineral

Milky Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to grayish-white; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: Indistinct/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: White to grayish-white
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified June 7, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to grayish-white; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: Indistinct/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed from the cooling of silica-rich hydrothermal fluids in veins or as a late-stage mineral in igneous pegmatites. It gets its cloudy appearance from microscopic inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during crystal growth.

Uses & applications

Used in glass making, abrasives, electronics (piezoelectric properties), and as decorative landscaping stone or as a source of high-purity silicon.

Geological facts

Milky Quartz is one of the most common minerals on Earth's crust. It is often found in 'vugs' or pockets where crystals have space to grow, though this specimen is water-worn or weathered.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its white cloudy color, inability to be scratched by steel, and lack of visible cleavage. Commonly found in riverbeds and mountainous regions globally.