mineral

Milky Quartz with Matrix

Quartz (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Translucent white to milky; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Translucent white to milky
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified February 21, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Translucent white to milky; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids cooling in rock veins or cavities. This specimen likely originated in a pegmatite or hydrothermal vein, often dating back millions of years depending on the local bedrock.

Uses & applications

Used in glass manufacturing, electronics (due to piezoelectric properties), construction as aggregate, and widely collected as mineral specimens or used for gemstone cabochons.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Pure quartz is clear, but tiny fluid inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during crystal growth create the 'milky' white appearance seen here.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its ability to scratch glass and lack of cleavage. Commonly found in mountainous regions, riverbeds, and gravel pits. To identify in the field, look for the waxy or glassy luster and its resistance to weathering compared to surrounding rock.

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