mineral
Milky Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to translucent with yellowish 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 translucent with yellowish iron staining
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to translucent with yellowish iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Forms in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites through the cooling of silica-rich fluids. It is found in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments globally and can be billions of years old.
Uses & applications
Used in glassmaking, abrasives, electronics (piezoelectric properties), and as architectural stone or landscaping gravel. High-quality specimens are used in jewelry and crystal healing.
Geological facts
Milky quartz gets its white color from tiny bubbles of gas or liquid trapped during the crystal's growth. It is one of the most common minerals on the Earth's crust.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its inability to be scratched by steel, lack of cleavage, and characteristic milky appearance. Look for it along riverbeds, in mountain outcrops, or as 'float' in soil.
