mineral
Milk Quartz (Sea Glass appearance)
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (smooth/weathered); Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- White to translucent
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy (smooth/weathered)
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (smooth/weathered); Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed through hydrothermal processes in veins. This specific specimen appears to be water-worn, shaped by tidal erosion or river transport which rounds the edges and creates a frosted surface texture.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in decorative applications, landscaping, and as a collector's stone. High-purity quartz is used in glassmaking and electronics.
Geological facts
Milk quartz gets its cloudy white appearance from tiny microscopic inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during the crystal's growth. It is the most common variety of crystalline quartz found on Earth.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its hardness (will scratch glass), white color, and Lack of visible grains. Often found on beaches or in riverbeds where it has been naturally tumbled by water.
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