mineral

Milky quartz

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Usually white to translucent with a vitreous luster and massive, irregular texture; Mohs hardness 7, no cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and specific gravity about 2.65. The specimen appears rough and weakly translucent, though definitive identification would require testing.

Identified September 6, 2026More mineral →

Explore Milky quartz in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids crystallize in veins, cavities, and igneous or metamorphic rocks; milky appearance results from microscopic fluid inclusions. Quartz is common from Precambrian to present-day geological settings.

Uses & applications

Used as an industrial silica source, in glass and ceramics, abrasives, electronics, and decorative specimens; attractive clear pieces may be cut as gemstones.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is piezoelectric. Milky quartz commonly forms alongside feldspar, mica, and metallic ores.

Field identification & locations

Identify by hardness (scratches ordinary glass), lack of cleavage, and conchoidal fracture; it should not fizz in dilute acid. Common worldwide, especially in hydrothermal veins and granitic terrains.