mineral

Milky Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to off-white/cream; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: White to off-white/cream
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified May 30, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to off-white/cream; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins or pegmatites where silica-rich fluids cool and crystallize. The milky appearance is caused by microscopic inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during crystal growth.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, as an abrasive, in electronics (piezoelectric properties), and frequently as a landscaping stone or decorative rock.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Milky quartz is the most common variety of quartz found globally.

Field identification & locations

Identified in the field by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and white opaque appearance. Often found as veins in igneous and metamorphic terrains or as pebbles in river beds.