mineral
Milky Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milk-white to transluscent; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Milk-white to transluscent
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milk-white to transluscent; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed from silica-rich hydrothermal solutions or cooling magma in veins and pegmatites. It is one of the most common minerals on Earth and can be found in rocks of all geological ages.
Uses & applications
Used in glassmaking, abrasives, electronics (quartz oscillators), and as a gemstone or decorative garden stone.
Geological facts
Milky quartz gets its cloudy appearance from tiny inclusions of fluids or gases trapped during crystal growth. It is the most common variety of crystalline quartz.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (will scratch glass), lack of cleavage, and white cloudy appearance. Common in riverbeds, mountains, and as garden landscaping stone globally.
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Other mineral specimens
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Sandstone with Mineral Veining or Crust
Sedimentary Sandstone (mostly SiO2 with Fe2O3 tinting)
sedimentary
Schist
Schist
Metamorphic
Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase)
Orthoclase (KAlSi3O8)
mineral
Gypsum (variety Selenite or Alabaster)
Calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4·2H2O)
Mineral
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic