mineral

Milky Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White to off-white, often with iron staining (yellow/brown); Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (hexagonal prisms); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: White to off-white, often with iron staining (yellow/brown)
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified July 6, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed primarily in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites through the cooling of silica-rich fluids. It is found in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments globally and can be billions of years old.

Uses & applications

Used as an abrasive, in the production of glass, ceramics, and silicon metal for electronics. Also popular for landscaping, lapidary work, and crystal healing collections.

Geological facts

Milky Quartz gets its white color from tiny fluid inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during crystal growth. It is the most common variety of crystalline quartz found on Earth's crust.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its white opaque color, inability to be scratched by steel, and lack of cleavage (it breaks in irregular, shell-like curves). It is extremely common in gravel beds and mountain trails.