mineral
Milky Quartz/Yellow Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 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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Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Sandstone with Mineral Veining or Crust
Sedimentary Sandstone (mostly SiO2 with Fe2O3 tinting)
sedimentary
Schist
Schist
Metamorphic
Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase)
Orthoclase (KAlSi3O8)
mineral
Gypsum (variety Selenite or Alabaster)
Calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4·2H2O)
Mineral
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic