mineral

Milky Quartz

Quartz (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to cloudy translucent; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: White to cloudy translucent
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified June 15, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to cloudy translucent; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed from the crystallization of silica-rich hydrothermal fluids in veins or as a major constituent of igneous rocks like granite and pegmatites. It can be found in rocks from virtually any geological age.

Uses & applications

Used in glass making, as an abrasive, in the production of silicon, as a gemstone (tumbled or carved), and as a decorative stone in landscaping and aquariums.

Geological facts

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

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and white cloudy color. It is ubiquitous in mountainous terrains, riverbeds, and gravel pits worldwide.