mineral

Milky Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 7 Mohs; Color: White to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

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

Identified July 6, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 Mohs; Color: White to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Forms in igneous rocks (pegmatites), metamorphic rocks, and hydrothermal veins. Milky color is caused by tiny fluid inclusions of gas and/or liquid trapped during crystal growth.

Uses & applications

Used as a gemstone (beads/cabochons), in electronics (quartz oscillators), as an abrasive, and in the production of glass and ceramics.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in Earth's crust. Milky quartz is the most common variety of crystalline quartz.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (scratches glass), white color, and lack of cleavage. Often found as rounded pebbles in riverbeds or as veins in bedrock outcrops.