mineral

Milky Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to translucent; Luster: Vitreous/waxy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Milky white to translucent
Luster: Vitreous/waxy

Identified July 1, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to translucent; Luster: Vitreous/waxy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Forms in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites through the cooling of silica-rich solutions. Its white color is caused by tiny inclusions of liquid, gas, or both, trapped during crystal growth.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, abrasives, electronics (due to piezoelectric properties), and as decorative stones or gemstones in jewelry.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Milky quartz is often the variety found in gold-bearing veins, making it a target for prospectors.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and waxy luster. Common globally, often found as pebbles in riverbeds or as veins in igneous and metamorphic rocks.