mineral

Milky Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Translucent white to opaque milky white. Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy. Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal. Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Translucent white to opaque milky white
Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy

Identified March 16, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of silica-rich magma or from hydrothermal veins. The 'milky' appearance is caused by tiny inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during crystal growth. They are found in geological environments ranging from Precambrian to Holocene eras.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, abrasives, and as a source of silicon for electronics. In the metaphysical and collecting communities, it is used for aesthetic display or as 'healing crystals.' Crushed quartz is also used in construction and landscaping.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Milky quartz is the most common variety of crystalline quartz. Historically, it was believed to be 'eternal ice' by ancient Greeks because of its crystalline appearance.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it will scratch glass and steel), lack of cleavage, and typical conchoidal (shell-like) fracture. It is ubiquitous globally, commonly found in granite outcroppings, riverbeds, and mountainous regions.