mineral

Milky Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

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

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: White to translucent with yellowish iron staining
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified July 21, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

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.