mineral

Milky Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White to semi-translucent yellowish-tan due to iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: White to semi-translucent yellowish-tan due to iron staining
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified July 6, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the crystallization of magma or by precipitation from hydrothermal veins. This specific specimen appears to be a water-worn or weathered fragment found in a stream bed or gravel deposit.

Uses & applications

Used in the production of glass, ceramics, and abrasives. High-purity quartz is essential in electronics for semiconductors and oscillators. Also used as a decorative stone and in landscaping.

Geological facts

Milky quartz gets its white, cloudy appearance from tiny fluid inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during crystal growth. It is one of the most common minerals found on the Earth's crust.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (it will scratch glass) and lack of cleavage. It is found globally in almost all geological environments. Collectors look for large, well-formed crystals, though this rounded specimen is common as river stone.