mineral
Milky Quartz
Quartz (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Cloudy white to opaque; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Cloudy white to opaque
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
Identified More mineral →
Explore Milky Quartz in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Cloudy white to opaque; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed from the cooling of silica-rich hydrothermal fluids or magma. Often found in igneous pegmatites or metamorphic vein deposits. Many specimens are hundreds of millions of years old.
Uses & applications
Used as an abrasive, in the manufacture of glass, ceramics, and electronics (as oscillators). Also popular as a decorative stone and for landscaping.
Geological facts
Milky quartz gets its cloudy appearance from minute fluid inclusions of gas and/or liquid trapped during crystal growth. It is the most common variety of crystalline quartz.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (it will scratch glass) and lack of cleavage planes. Found globally in riverbeds, mountains, and near mining sites.
More like this
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