mineral

Milky Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

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

Identified June 23, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

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

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling and crystallization of silica-rich magma or from hydrothermal veins. The milky appearance is caused by tiny inclusions of liquid, gas, or both, trapped during crystal growth.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, jewelry (as cabochons), electronics for its piezoelectric properties, and high-quality specimens are popular for crystal healing and mineral collections.

Geological facts

Milky quartz is the most common variety of crystalline quartz. Its white color is often compared to a 'frozen cloud' due to the millions of microscopic fluid bubbles inside it.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and waxy luster on fractured surfaces. Commonly found in pegmatites, hydrothermal veins, and as cobbles in riverbeds.