mineral

Milky Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White, cloudy to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: White, cloudy to translucent
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified July 11, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White, cloudy to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Forms from the cooling of magma or by precipitation from hydrothermal veins. The milky appearance is caused by tiny inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during crystal growth.

Uses & applications

Used in glass manufacturing, as an abrasive, in electronics (due to piezoelectric properties), and as a decorative stone in landscaping or jewelry.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in Earth's continental crust. Milky quartz is the most common variety of crystalline quartz.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its ability to scratch glass, its lack of cleavage, and its waxy or vitreous luster. It is found globally in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments.