mineral

Milky quartz

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically white to translucent with a vitreous-to-waxy luster and conchoidal fracture; Mohs hardness 7, no cleavage, hexagonal crystal structure, and specific gravity about 2.65. The specimen appears massive and naturally fractured rather than well-crystallized.

Identified August 17, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids cool in veins, cavities, or pegmatites, and also occurs in igneous and metamorphic rocks. Quartz is geologically widespread from Precambrian terrains to modern hydrothermal deposits.

Uses & applications

Used in glass, ceramics, abrasives, electronics, engineered stone, and construction aggregate; attractive transparent pieces may be cut as gemstones, though ordinary milky quartz has limited value.

Geological facts

Its cloudy appearance results from microscopic fluid inclusions, fractures, or mineral impurities. Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant and chemically resistant minerals.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its hardness—scratches ordinary glass and is not scratched by a steel knife—plus its lack of cleavage and curved fracture surfaces. Common worldwide in veins, granites, pegmatites, and metamorphic rocks.