mineral

Milky Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to cloudy; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.65

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

Identified May 17, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to cloudy; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed primarily in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites through the cooling of silica-rich fluids. It can be found in a wide variety of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments across all geological ages.

Uses & applications

Used in the glass and ceramic industries, as a flux in metallurgy, in construction as an aggregate, and for decorative and landscaping purposes. High-quality specimens are popular for mineral collecting.

Geological facts

Milky quartz owes its white, opaque appearance to tiny fluid inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during crystal growth. It is the most common variety of crystalline quartz.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its white color, ability to scratch glass (hardness 7), and lack of cleavage planes. It is globally abundant and often serves as a host mineral for gold in quartz veins.