mineral

Milky Quartz

Quartz (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to translucent lavender/grey; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Milky white to translucent lavender/grey
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified May 30, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed primarily from hydrothermal veins or as a component in igneous rocks like granite. The milky opacity is caused by microscopic fluid inclusions of gas and/or liquid trapped during crystal growth.

Uses & applications

Used in the glass and ceramics industry, as an abrasive, in the production of silicon chips, and as decorative stone or landscaping gravel. High-quality specimens are used in lapidary work.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Milky quartz is the most common variety of quartz. Some milky quartz contains trace amounts of gold, making it a target for prospectors.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (will scratch glass), lack of cleavage, and characteristic greasy/vitreous luster. Found globally in mountainous regions, riverbeds, and as veins in metamorphic rocks.