mineral

Milky Quartz

Quartz (Silica / Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)

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

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

Identified March 18, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments. Most commonly found in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites where silica-rich fluids cool slowly. It can be found in formations ranging from billions of years old to relatively recent geological events.

Uses & applications

Used in glass making, ceramics, abrasives, and as a filler in paints. In jewelry, it is often used for beads, cabochons, and decorative carvings. It is also used in the semiconductor industry and for decorative landscaping.

Geological facts

Milky quartz gets its characteristic white color from microscopic inclusions of fluids or gas trapped during the crystal's growth. It is the most common variety of crystalline quartz found on Earth's crust.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its distinct white color, inability to be scratched by steel, and lack of cleavage. It is found globally, often in mountain ranges like the Alps, Himalayas, or the Appalachians. Collectors should look for large, well-formed crystal points.

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