mineral

Milky Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

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

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

Identified March 15, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White to 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 silica-rich hydrothermal fluids in veins or from the cooling of magma in igneous rocks. This specimen is likely a water-worn or tumbled fragment from a larger vein.

Uses & applications

Used in glass manufacturing, as an abrasive, in the production of silicon chips, and widely sold as tumbled stones for decoration or metaphysical collecting.

Geological facts

Milky quartz gets its white, cloudy appearance from tiny inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during the crystal's growth hundreds of millions of years ago. It is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's crust.

Field identification & locations

Identifiable in the field by its ability to scratch glass and lack of cleavage planes. It is commonly found in gravel pits, riverbeds, and mountainous regions worldwide. Collectors should look for a waxy luster on broken surfaces.