mineral

Milky Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to pale tan/pinkish due to iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: White to pale tan/pinkish due to iron staining
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified July 3, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to pale tan/pinkish due to iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Forms in hydrothermal veins or pegmatites as cooling magma releases silica-rich fluids. The milky appearance is caused by microscopic fluid inclusions trapped during crystal growth.

Uses & applications

Used in the production of glass, ceramics, and abrasives. In a raw state, it is common in construction aggregate, landscaping, and as a collector's specimen for beginners.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Milky quartz specifically gets its opaque white color from tiny bubbles of gas or liquid trapped during its formation millions of years ago.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it will scratch glass), its lack of cleavage, and its characteristic waxy or glassy luster. It is found globally in almost all geological environments.