mineral

Milky Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7.0 on Mohs scale; Color: Cloudy white to opaque; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7
Color: Cloudy white to opaque
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified February 27, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7.0 on Mohs scale; Color: Cloudy white to opaque; 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 gas or liquid trapped during crystal growth. Can be found in geological formations of almost any age.

Uses & applications

Used in the manufacturing of glass and ceramics, as an abrasive, and in the production of silicon chips. Often used as decorative landscaping stone or as a source of high-purity silica for industrial processes.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Milky quartz is the most common variety of quartz. It can often be found near gold deposits as it shares similar hydrothermal origins.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its ability to scratch glass and lack of cleavage (it breaks into irregular, sharp shards). Found globally in gravel pits, riverbeds, and mountainside outcroppings. Collectors should look for unique inclusion patterns or association with other minerals.