mineral

Milky Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: cloudy white to translucent, Luster: Vitreous to greasy, Crystal structure: Trigonal (often found as massive pieces), Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture, Specific Gravity: 2.65

Identified April 3, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites through the cooling and crystallization of silica-rich hot fluids. It can be found in a wide variety of geological ages and environments, often associated with gold and other minerals.

Uses & applications

Used in the glass and ceramic industries, as an abrasive, in construction as decorative stone or aggregate, and occasionally in jewelry as cabochons or beads. Also used in the production of silicon wafers for electronics.

Geological facts

Milky quartz gets its cloudy appearance from tiny fluid inclusions of gas and/or liquid trapped during the crystal's growth. It is the most common variety of crystalline quartz found on Earth's crust.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and white waxy appearance. Commonly found in mountainous regions, riverbeds, and as veins in igneous rocks. Collectors look for large, well-defined crystal terminations.