mineral

Milky Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

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

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

Identified July 18, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

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

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites through the crystallization of silica-rich fluids. The 'milky' appearance is caused by tiny fluid or gas inclusions trapped during crystal growth.

Uses & applications

Used in the glass and ceramics industry, as an abrasive, in landscaping/architecture, and as a popular specimen for mineral collectors.

Geological facts

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

Field identification & locations

Identified in the field by its hardness (scratches glass), white color, and lack of cleavage. It is found globally in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments.