mineral

Milky Quartz

Quartz (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Opaque white to translucent; Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Opaque white to translucent
Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy

Identified March 30, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Opaque white to translucent; Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Forms from the cooling of silica-rich magma or through hydrothermal activity in veins. The milky appearance is caused by tiny inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during crystal growth. They can be found in rocks from nearly every geological age.

Uses & applications

Used in the manufacturing of glass, ceramics, and abrasives. In construction, it is used as a component in concrete and mortar. It is also used in jewelry as cabochons, for landscaping stones, and popular for metaphysical/healing crystal collecting.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. 'Quartz' comes from the German word 'Quarz' and the Polish term 'kwardy', meaning hard. Milky quartz is often found in gold-bearing veins and can sometimes contain microscopic specks of native gold.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it easily scratches glass and steel), its white opaque color, and its lack of cleavage (it breaks into irregular, sharp shards). Common in pegmatites and mountain ranges worldwide.