mineral

Milky Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to opaque; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Milky white to opaque
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified July 5, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to opaque; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed through the crystallization of silica-rich hydrothermal fluids or within igneous pegmatites. The milky appearance is caused by microscopic inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during crystal growth.

Uses & applications

Used in glass making, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, landscaping, and as a collector's specimen.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Milky quartz is the most common variety of crystalline quartz found in nature.

Field identification & locations

Look for a white, waxy or glassy luster that can scratch glass. It is commonly found in veins within many different rock types and is ubiquitous in riverbeds and gravel pits worldwide.