mineral

Milky Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Cloudy white to pale tan; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: Indistinct/Conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Cloudy white to pale tan
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified July 6, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Cloudy white to pale tan; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: Indistinct/Conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites through the cooling of silica-rich solutions in the Earth's crust. It is found in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments globally.

Uses & applications

Used in glass making, abrasive blasting, electronics (piezoelectric properties), and as decorative gravel or landscaping stone.

Geological facts

Milky quartz gets its cloudy appearance from minute fluid inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during crystal growth. It is the most common variety of crystalline quartz.

Field identification & locations

Identified in the field by its hardness (it will scratch glass), its white cloudy appearance, and the lack of visible cleavage planes. Found in nearly every geological environment worldwide.