mineral

Milky Quartz

Crystalline Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: Indistinct/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65.

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

Identified June 25, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: Indistinct/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed from the cooling and solidification of silica-rich hydrothermal fluids in veins or pegmatites. The milky appearance is caused by microscopic fluid inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during crystal growth.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, abrasives, as a gemstone in jewelry, for decorative landscaping, and as a source of high-purity silica for the electronics industry.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Milky Quartz often occurs alongside gold in hydrothermal vein deposits, making it a key indicator for prospectors.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of true cleavage, and distinct milky-white translucency. It is found globally in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments.