mineral

Milky Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to off-white/cream; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (hexagonal prisms); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: White to off-white/cream
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified July 20, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to off-white/cream; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (hexagonal prisms); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids cooling in veins or as a primary constituent in igneous rocks like granite. Often found in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites across all geological ages.

Uses & applications

Used in glass manufacturing, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, landscaping, and as a raw material for silicon production. Low-grade specimens are common in gravel and construction aggregate.

Geological facts

Milky quartz gets its white color from tiny bubbles of gas or liquid trapped during the crystal's growth. It is the most common variety of crystalline quartz found on Earth's crust.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its ability to scratch glass and lack of cleavage. It often appears as white, 'snowy' veins in darker host rocks. Can be found globally in riverbeds, mountains, and garden soils.