mineral
Milky Quartz
Quartz (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: cloudy white to yellowish-brown due to impurities, Luster: Vitreous to greasy, Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal, Cleavage: Indistinct/Conchoidal fracture, Specific Gravity: 2.65
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: cloudy white to yellowish-brown due to impurities, Luster: Vitreous to greasy, Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal, Cleavage: Indistinct/Conchoidal fracture, Specific Gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed in hydrothermal veins, pegmatites, and igneous rocks through the cooling of silica-rich fluids. It can be found in rocks from nearly all geological ages.
Uses & applications
Used in glassmaking, as an abrasive, in the semiconductor industry (silicon source), and as gravel in construction or decorative landscaping. Low-grade specimens are common for beginner collectors.
Geological facts
Milky quartz gets its cloudy appearance from minute fluid inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during the crystal's growth. It is one of the most common minerals in the Earth's crust.
Field identification & locations
Identified in the field by its ability to scratch glass, lack of cleavage, and white-to-tan cloudy appearance. It is found globally in stream beds, mountains, and soil.
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