mineral

Milky Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White to cloudy translucent; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: White to cloudy translucent
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified March 24, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White to cloudy translucent; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed through the crystallization of magma or cooling of hydrothermal veins within the earth's crust. Its cloudy appearance is caused by tiny inclusions of liquid, gas, or both, trapped during crystal growth. It can be found in a wide variety of geological ages ranging from Precambrian to Cenozoic.

Uses & applications

Used widely in the manufacturing of glass and ceramics, as an abrasive in sandblasting, in the construction of countertops, and as decorative gravel. Lower quality milky quartz is common in landscaping, while clearer specimens are used as gemstones or for spiritual collecting.

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 used by ancient civilizations to make stone tools due to its hardness and ability to fracture into sharp edges.

Field identification & locations

Identification: Look for a white, 'milky' color with a waxy or glassy luster that can scratch glass but cannot be scratched by a steel knife. Locations: Found globally, particularly in pegmatites and hydrothermal veins. Tips for collectors: Search near granite outcrops or in stream beds where harder minerals accumulate.