mineral
Milky Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- White to translucent
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
Identified More mineral →
Explore Milky Quartz in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Forms during the final stages of magmatic crystallization in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites. The white color is caused by tiny inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during crystal growth.
Uses & applications
Used as a raw material for glass, ceramics, and electronics; also used in decorative landscaping, construction aggregate, and as a minor gemstone for beads or cabochons.
Geological facts
Quartz is the most abundant and widespread mineral in the Earth's continental crust. Milky Quartz specifically gets its opacity from microscopic fluid inclusions of water or CO2.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its hardness (it can scratch glass), lack of cleavage, and white, cloudy appearance. It is universally common across almost all geological terrains.
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Schist
Schist
Metamorphic
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic
Gypsum (variety Selenite or Alabaster)
Calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4·2H2O)
Mineral
Nephrite Jade
Nephrite
Mineral/Rock
Granite
Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)
igneous