mineral

Milky Quartz with Mica

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Muscovite Mica [KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2]

Hardness: 7 (Quartz) and 2-2.5 (Mica); Color: Opaque white to light pink with silvery-grey inclusions; Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (Quartz) and Monoclinic (Mica); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 (Quartz) and 2-2
Color: Opaque white to light pink with silvery-grey inclusions
Luster: Vitreous to pearly

Identified February 22, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites through the cooling of silica-rich fluids. These specimens are often found in metamorphic belts or igneous terrains and can range from millions to over a billion years old.

Uses & applications

Primary use is industrial in the production of glass, ceramics, and electronics; also used as landscaping stone, decorative gravel, and for metaphysical collecting.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. The 'milky' appearance is caused by tiny inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during the crystal's growth.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its white opaque color, inability to be scratched by steel, and the presence of shiny, flaky mica inclusions. Commonly found in riverbeds, glacial till, and mountainous outcrops globally.

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