mineral

Milky Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 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

Identified July 4, 2026More mineral →

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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.