mineral
Milky Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Creamy white to pale yellow, Luster: Vitreous to greasy, Crystal structure: Trigonal (often massive in appearance), Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.65
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Creamy white to pale yellow, Luster: Vitreous to greasy, Crystal structure: Trigonal (often massive in appearance), Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Forms in hydrothermal veins or pegmatites where silica concentrations are high and impurities/fluid inclusions cause the opaque 'milky' appearance. Found across all geological ages.
Uses & applications
Used in electronics for its piezoelectric properties, as an abrasive, in glass manufacturing, for garden landscaping, and as a collector's specimen.
Geological facts
Milky quartz is the most common variety of crystalline quartz. Its white color is caused by tiny fluid inclusions of gas and liquid trapped during crystal growth.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and waxy luster. Commonly found in mountainous regions and riverbeds globally.
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Other mineral specimens
Gneiss or Schist
Gneiss or Mica Schist with Garnet
Metamorphic
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Tumbled granite
Granite, a coarse-grained felsic intrusive igneous rock
igneous
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic
Pegmatite with Tourmaline and Quartz
Igneous Pegmatite
igneous
Granite
Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)
igneous