mineral

Milky Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

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

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: White to translucent
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified April 2, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

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

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites through the cooling of silica-rich fluids. It is found in all types of geological environments and can range from Precambrian to recent ages.

Uses & applications

Used as an abrasive in sandpaper, in the manufacturing of glass and ceramics, as an gemstone in jewelry, and for spiritual/collecting purposes.

Geological facts

Milky quartz gets its cloudy white appearance from tiny fluid inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during crystal growth. It is one of the most abundant minerals on Earth's crust.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it can scratch glass), its lack of cleavage, and its distinctive white 'milky' color. Commonly found as pebbles in riverbeds or as veins in igneous and metamorphic rocks.