mineral

Milky Quartz

Quartz (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to translucent; Luster: Vitreous/glassy to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: White to translucent
Luster: Vitreous/glassy to waxy

Identified June 27, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to translucent; Luster: Vitreous/glassy to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed through hydrothermal processes, crystallization from magma, or within metamorphic rocks. It is found in deposits ranging from Precambrian to recent ages.

Uses & applications

Used as a gemstone, in glassmaking, as a source of silicon for electronics, and in construction aggregate. Highly valued by crystal collectors for its aesthetic and perceived metaphysical properties.

Geological facts

Milky quartz gets its white, cloudy appearance from tiny inclusions of fluids, gas, or both, trapped during the crystal's growth. It is the most common variety of crystalline quartz.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its white color, inability to be scratched by a steel knife, and lack of cleavage (it breaks in curved, glassy shards). Common in pegmatites, mountain ranges, and gravel beds.