mineral
Milky Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: White to translucent Milky, Luster: Vitreous to greasy, Crystal Structure: Trigonal (often found as massive pebbles), Cleavage: None (Conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.65
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 (Mohs scale), Color: White to translucent Milky, Luster: Vitreous to greasy, Crystal Structure: Trigonal (often found as massive pebbles), Cleavage: None (Conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids cooling in veins or as a constituent of igneous rocks like granite. This specific specimen appears to be a water-worn river pebble, shaped by erosion over thousands to millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used in the manufacture of glass, ceramics, and electronics (as a source of silicon). In larger forms, used for landscaping, jewelry (beads/cabochons), and as a common specimen for collectors.
Geological facts
Milky quartz gets its cloudy appearance from microscopic inclusions of fluids or gas trapped during the crystal's growth. It is the most common variety of crystalline quartz on Earth.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its hardness (it can scratch glass), its white 'bony' color, and the absence of cleavage. Found globally in riverbeds, soil, and mountain ranges.
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