mineral

Milky Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: White to translucent yellowish-tan, Luster: Vitreous to greasy, Crystal structure: Hexagonal (trigonal), Cleavage: Indistinct/Conchoidal fracture, Specific gravity: 2.65

Identified May 4, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from silica-rich hydrothermal solutions cooling in veins and cavities, or as a constituent of igneous rocks like granite and metamorphic rocks like quartzite. It is found in geological environments spanning almost all eras.

Uses & applications

Used in electronics as crystal oscillators, in glass making, as an abrasive, in construction as aggregate, and as a semi-precious gemstone in jewelry or for metaphysical collecting.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Milky quartz gets its characteristic white color from microscopic inclusions of gas and liquids trapped during crystal growth.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and waxy/vitreous luster. Extremely common worldwide, especially in mountain ranges and riverbeds.