mineral

Milky Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Opaque white to creamy. Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy. Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal. Cleavage: Indistinct/Conchoidal fracture. Specific gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Opaque white to creamy
Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy

Identified July 18, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Opaque white to creamy. Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy. Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal. Cleavage: Indistinct/Conchoidal fracture. Specific gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites. It is the most common mineral in the Earth's crust, occurring across all geological eras from various cooling silicate magmas or precipitate from hydrothermal fluids.

Uses & applications

Used in glass manufacturing, as an abrasive, in the production of silicon chips (electronics), and frequently as a landscaping stone or decorative garden rock.

Geological facts

The milky white color is caused by tiny inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during the crystal's formation. It is often found associated with gold in hydrothermal vein deposits.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its ability to scratch glass, its milky opaque appearance, and its lack of cleavage (it breaks in irregular curves). It is easily found in gravel pits, riverbeds, and mountainous regions worldwide.