mineral

Milky Quartz with Dendritic Inclusions

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Opaque white (milky) with black/brown tree-like inclusions; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Opaque white (milky) with black/brown tree-like inclusions
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified February 23, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms in hydrothermal veins or pegmatites where silica-rich fluids cool slowly. The 'milky' look comes from microscopic fluid inclusions trapped during crystallization. The dark patterns are manganese or iron oxide dendrites that seeped into fractures.

Uses & applications

Used primarily as decorative pebbles, in metaphysical jewelry, and as source material for silicon in industrial applications. Low-grade specimens are used in landscaping.

Geological facts

The 'tree-like' patterns are often mistaken for fossils but are actually mineral growths called dendrites. Milky quartz is the most common variety of crystalline quartz found on Earth's crust.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its ability to scratch glass and its distinctive opaque white color. Found globally in riverbeds, mountain ranges, and gravel pits. Collectors look for high-contrast 'dendritic' patterns that resemble landscapes.

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