mineral

Milky Quartz

Silicon dioxide (SiO2)

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

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Cloudy white to opaque
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified July 8, 2026More mineral →

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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 through the crystallization of magma or from hydrothermal veins. The milky appearance is caused by tiny inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during crystal growth.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, abrasives, silicon production for electronics, and as decorative stone in landscaping and jewelry.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Milky quartz is the most common variety of crystalline quartz.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it will easily scratch glass), its lack of cleavage, and its white/cloudy color. It is commonly found in gravel pits, riverbeds, and as veins in igneous and metamorphic rocks.