mineral

Milky Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Opaque white to pale cream/peach; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when weathered); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Opaque white to pale cream/peach
Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when weathered)

Identified July 20, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids in veins within igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. This specimen is water-worn, resulting from erosion and transport in a river or beach environment.

Uses & applications

Primarily used as a lapidary material for tumbling, as decorative landscaping gravel, or as a source of silica for glassmaking and industrial abrasives.

Geological facts

Milky quartz gets its opaque appearance from tiny fluid inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during the crystal's growth. It is the most common variety of crystalline quartz.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it can scratch glass) and lack of cleavage. It is found globally in riverbeds, beaches, and mountain outcrops. Collectors look for pieces with interesting patterns or colors caused by iron staining.