mineral

Milky Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 7 Mohs; Color: White/Translucent; Luster: Vitreous to Greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 Mohs
Color: White/Translucent
Luster: Vitreous to Greasy

Identified July 13, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 Mohs; Color: White/Translucent; Luster: Vitreous to Greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Forms in hydrothermal veins or as a late-stage crystallization in igneous rocks like pegmatites. Found in all types of geological environments and can be any age from Precambrian to Cenozoic.

Uses & applications

Used as an abrasive, in glass manufacturing, as a source of silica for computer chips, and commonly as gravel or landscaping stone. Higher quality milky quartz is used for carvings or beads.

Geological facts

Milky quartz gets its white, opaque appearance from tiny microscopic inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during crystal growth. It is the most common variety of crystalline quartz.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (cannot be scratched by steel), lack of cleavage, and white color. It is globally ubiquitous and often found as rounded pebbles in stream beds or as veins in primary rock outcrops.