mineral

Milky Quartz with Mineral Inclusions

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Opaque white to creamy (milky) with black mineral flecks; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (hexagonal); Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Opaque white to creamy (milky) with black mineral flecks
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified March 16, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from silica-rich hydrothermal solutions cooling at depth. The milky appearance is caused by tiny fluid or gas bubbles trapped during crystal growth. Found in igneous and metamorphic environments, often in quartz veins.

Uses & applications

Industrial uses include glass making, electronics (semiconductors), and abrasives. Large specimens are used for landscaping, interior decor, or as lower-cost lapidary material for jewelry like cabochons.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. The black spots visible in this specimen are likely iron or manganese oxide inclusions, or possibly dark tourmaline (schorl) or mica (biotite).

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it will scratch glass), lack of cleavage, and waxy/vitreous luster. Found worldwide in mountain ranges and gravel deposits. Collectors should look for unique inclusion patterns.

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