mineral

Milky Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

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

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

Identified May 16, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

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

Formation & geological history

Formed from the crystallization of silica-rich hydrothermal solutions or cooling magma. Often found in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites. It is one of the most common minerals in the Earth's crust.

Uses & applications

Used in electronics (as piezoelectric crystal), glass manufacturing, abrasives, construction fill, and as decorative garden stone or lower-grade gemstones.

Geological facts

The milky white appearance is caused by tiny inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during crystal growth. Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (it will scratch glass), lack of cleavage, and characteristic milky white color. It is commonly found in gravel pits, riverbeds, and mountainous regions worldwide.