mineral

Milky Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

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

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

Identified July 7, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

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

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of silica-rich magma or from hydrothermal veins. The milky appearance is caused by tiny inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during crystal growth.

Uses & applications

Used in the manufacturing of glass and ceramics, as an abrasive, in electronics for its piezoelectric properties, and widely used in landscaping and as a collector specimen.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Milky quartz is the most common variety of quartz and can be found in almost every geological environment.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (will scratch glass), lack of cleavage, and white cloudy appearance. It is found globally in veins, pegmatites, and as grains in many sedimentary rocks.