mineral
Milky Quartz with Dendritic Inclusions
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Opaque white (milky) with black/brown tree-like inclusions; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65.
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Opaque white (milky) with black/brown tree-like inclusions
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Opaque white (milky) with black/brown tree-like inclusions; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Forms in hydrothermal veins or pegmatites where silica-rich fluids cool slowly. The 'milky' look comes from microscopic fluid inclusions trapped during crystallization. The dark patterns are manganese or iron oxide dendrites that seeped into fractures.
Uses & applications
Used primarily as decorative pebbles, in metaphysical jewelry, and as source material for silicon in industrial applications. Low-grade specimens are used in landscaping.
Geological facts
The 'tree-like' patterns are often mistaken for fossils but are actually mineral growths called dendrites. Milky quartz is the most common variety of crystalline quartz found on Earth's crust.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its ability to scratch glass and its distinctive opaque white color. Found globally in riverbeds, mountain ranges, and gravel pits. Collectors look for high-contrast 'dendritic' patterns that resemble landscapes.
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