mineral

Milky Quartz

Crystalline Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to off-white with iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: White to off-white with iron staining
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified June 29, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed primarily in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites through the cooling of silica-rich fluids. It can be found in rocks from almost every geological age across the globe.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in the glassmaking industry, as an abrasive, in electronics (though synthetic is often preferred), as a decorative stone in landscaping, and in jewelry (tumbled stones).

Geological facts

The milky appearance is caused by tiny inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during the crystal's growth. It is the most common variety of crystalline quartz found on Earth.

Field identification & locations

Field identification is based on its ability to scratch glass, its white color, and its lack of cleavage. It is ubiquitous in riverbeds, mountains, and as vein material in various host rocks.