mineral

Milky Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: White to translucent
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified July 4, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites through the cooling of silica-rich solutions. Common across all geological ages, often as a primary mineral in igneous and metamorphic rocks.

Uses & applications

Used in glass making, abrasive materials, electronics (as oscillators due to piezoelectric properties), and as decorative interior stone or landscaping material.

Geological facts

Milky quartz gets its cloudy appearance from microscopic inclusions of fluids or gases trapped during the crystal's formation. It is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's crust.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its white color, inability to be scratched by steel, and lack of cleavage. It is found globally, particularly in mountainous regions and riverbeds.