mineral

Milky Quartz Pebble

Quartz (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)

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

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Cloudy white to translucent
Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy

Identified March 30, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from the crystallization of silica-rich hydrothermal fluids in veins or as a major constituent in igneous rocks like granite. This specific specimen has been physically weathered and rounded by water transport in a fluvial (river) or coastal environment.

Uses & applications

Milky quartz is used industrially as an abrasive, in glass making, and as a source of silicon for electronics. Rounded pebbles are popular for landscaping, drainage, and as river rock for decorative garden paths.

Geological facts

Milky quartz gets its white, 'milky' appearance from microscopic fluid inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during the crystal's growth. It is one of the most common and widely distributed minerals on Earth's crust.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its ability to scratch glass, lack of cleavage, and cloudy appearance. It is commonly found in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial till globally. Collectors typically look for specimens with interesting inclusions or perfectly smooth water-worn shapes.