mineral
Milky Quartz/Yellow Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Off-white to pale yellow; Luster: Vitreous/waxy when polished; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Off-white to pale yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous/waxy when polished
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Off-white to pale yellow; Luster: Vitreous/waxy when polished; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
Formation & geological history
Formed in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites. It gains its cloudy appearance from microscopic inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during crystal growth. Yellow hues are often due to traces of iron oxide.
Uses & applications
Used primarily for ornamental purposes, tumbling, jewelry, and as a source of silica in glass manufacturing.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals on Earth. Milky quartz is the most common variety of crystalline quartz.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (cannot be scratched by a steel blade) and greasy/waxy luster when tumbled. It is found globally in almost any geological environment.
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Other mineral specimens
Gneiss or Schist
Gneiss or Mica Schist with Garnet
Metamorphic
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Calcite–fluorite mineral specimen with iron-oxide staining
Calcite (CaCO₃), likely fluorite (CaF₂), with possible quartz and iron/manganese oxides
mineral
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic
Pegmatite with Tourmaline and Quartz
Igneous Pegmatite
igneous
Granite
Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)
igneous