mineral

Milky Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

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

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

Identified May 29, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

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

Formation & geological history

Forms from the cooling of hydrothermal veins and igneous intrusions. The white color is caused by tiny inclusions of liquid or gas trapped during crystal growth. Can be found in geological formations across all eras.

Uses & applications

Used in glass making, ceramics, as an abrasive, in the electronics industry for its piezoelectric properties, and in decorative jewelry or landscaping.

Geological facts

Milky quartz is the most common variety of crystalline quartz. While it lacks the clarity of rock crystal, it often contains traces of gold in hydrothermal vein deposits.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its ability to scratch glass, its milky white appearance, and lack of cleavage planes. It is ubiquitous globally, especially in mountain ranges and gravel deposits.