mineral
Milky Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: White or milky due to trapped fluid/gas bubbles, Luster: Vitreous to greasy, Crystal System: Trigonal (hexagonal prisms), Cleavage: Indistinct/Conchoidal fracture, Specific Gravity: 2.65
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: White or milky due to trapped fluid/gas bubbles, Luster: Vitreous to greasy, Crystal System: Trigonal (hexagonal prisms), Cleavage: Indistinct/Conchoidal fracture, Specific Gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed in hydrothermal veins, pegmatites, and through various igneous and metamorphic processes where silica-rich fluids cool and crystallize. It is one of the most common minerals on Earth.
Uses & applications
Used in glassmaking, as an abrasive, in the ceramics industry, for landscaping, and occasionally as a source of high-purity silica for electronics and solar panels.
Geological facts
Milky quartz gets its cloudy appearance from tiny inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during crystal growth. Large massive veins of milky quartz can often contain gold and are a primary target for prospectors.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (will scratch glass and steel), white color, and lack of obvious cleavage. Found globally in almost all geological environments, especially in gravel beds and mountain outcrops.
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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
Gypsum (variety Selenite or Alabaster)
Calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4·2H2O)
Mineral
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic
Nephrite Jade
Nephrite
Mineral/Rock