mineral
Milky Quartz Pebble (Quartzite)
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 7 on the Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to translucent grayish-white; Luster: Vitreous to waxy/greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: ~2.65.
- Hardness
- 7 on the Mohs scale
- Color
- Milky white to translucent grayish-white
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy/greasy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to translucent grayish-white; Luster: Vitreous to waxy/greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: ~2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed through hydrothermal precipitation in veins or crystallized during the cooling of silica-rich igneous pegmatites. This specific specimen has been rounded and smoothed by mechanical weathering in a river, stream, or marine environment.
Uses & applications
Used widely as an ornamental stone, landscape gravel, aggregate, and historically in flintknapping or as raw source material for silicon in electronics and glassmaking.
Geological facts
The cloudy, milky appearance of milky quartz is caused by millions of microscopic fluid or gas bubbles trapped within the crystal lattice during formation billions or millions of years ago.
Field identification & locations
Extremely common worldwide in riverbeds, glacial drift, gravel deposits, and rocky beaches. Field identification is easily confirmed by its inability to be scratched by steel (hardness 7), lack of cleavage, and translucent milky hue.
