Milky Quartz / Rose Quartz fragment

Physical Properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White to pale pink; Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65

Formation & Geological History

Formed through the crystallization of silica-rich hydrothermal fluids or within pegmatites. It is often part of large vein systems and can be found in rocks from nearly all geological eras.

Uses & Applications

Used in glassmaking, abrasives, electronics (due to piezoelectric properties), and as a decorative stone or gemstone in jewelry and crystal healing markets.

Geological Facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in the Earth's continental crust. Pure quartz is clear, but impurities and inclusions lead to varieties like milky quartz (fluid inclusions) and rose quartz (trace amounts of titanium, iron, or manganese).

Field Identification & Locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and glassy luster. It is ubiquitous globally and often found in mountain ranges, riverbeds, and as resistant grains in sedimentary deposits.

Identified on: 4/17/2026

Mode: Standard