mineral

Milky Quartz

Quartz (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)

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

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Opaque white to creamy
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified March 24, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

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

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of silica-rich magma or from hydrothermal veins. The white color is caused by microscopic inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during crystal growth. They can be found in geological formations ranging from Precambrian to recent times.

Uses & applications

Used in the glass and ceramic industries, as an abrasive, and in construction as a decorative stone. Low-grade specimens are often used in landscaping or as gravel.

Geological facts

Milky quartz is the most common variety of crystalline quartz. Historically, it was used by many indigenous cultures to create stone tools and arrowheads due to its hardness and how it breaks with sharp edges.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its inability to be scratched by a steel pocketknife and its distinct waxy/greasy luster when fractured. Commonly found in mountain ranges, riverbeds, and as veins in granite. Collectors should look for unique shapes or associations with other minerals.