mineral

Milky Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: White to translucent
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified July 19, 2026More mineral →

Explore Milky Quartz in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Forms in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments. Milky quartz specifically gets its appearance from tiny fluid or gas inclusions trapped during crystal growth. It is found in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites across all geological ages.

Uses & applications

Used as an abrasive in sandpaper, in glassmaking, as a gemstone (usually cabochons or beads), and as a flux in metallurgical processes. It is also highly valued by mineral collectors for its geometric beauty.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Milky quartz is often the 'mother' rock for gold, and prospectors often look for quartz veins as a primary indicator of gold deposits.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it will scratch glass), its white 'milk-like' opacity, and lack of cleavage. Look for it in riverbeds, mountain outcrops, and road cuts where light-colored veins are visible in darker rock.