mineral

Milky Quartz Pebble

Quartz (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to off-white; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Milky white to off-white
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified April 30, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to off-white; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed from cooling silica-rich hydrothermal fluids or within igneous and metamorphic rocks. This specimen is a water-worn river pebble, likely millions of years old, shaped by fluvial erosion.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, and as decorative landscaping stone or pocket stones for collectors.

Geological facts

Milky quartz gets its white color from tiny fluid inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during the crystal's growth. It is one of the most common minerals on Earth's crust.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (will scratch glass), lack of cleavage, and smooth, rounded water-worn texture. Commonly found in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial till globally.