
mineral
Milky Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Opaque white to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- Opaque white to translucent
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Opaque white to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Forms from the cooling of magma in hydrothermal veins or as a primary constituent of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks throughout geological history.
Uses & applications
Used in glassmaking, construction, electronics (as a silicon source), jewelry (tumbled stones), and as an abrasive in industrial applications.
Geological facts
Milky quartz gets its cloudy appearance from tiny microscopic inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during its formation. It is the most common variety of crystalline quartz.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and white color. Found globally in mountainous regions, riverbeds, and as pegmatite veins.
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Gneiss or Schist
Gneiss or Mica Schist with Garnet
Metamorphic
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Tumbled granite
Granite, a coarse-grained felsic intrusive igneous rock
igneous
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