
mineral
Milky Quartz
Quartz (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White to cloudy translucent; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- White to cloudy translucent
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
Identified More mineral →
Explore Milky Quartz in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White to cloudy translucent; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Forms through the cooling of magma or hydrothermal activity in veins. The milky appearance is caused by tiny fluid or gas inclusions trapped during crystal growth.
Uses & applications
Used in jewelry (cabochons), as an abrasive, in glassmaking, and in metaphysical practices as a healing stone.
Geological facts
Milky Quartz is the most common variety of crystalline quartz. The white color is often referred to as 'snow quartz' and is caused by microscopic bubbles of liquid or gas.
Field identification & locations
Identified in the field by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and white cloudy appearance. Extremely common in pegmatites and gold-bearing hydrothermal veins.
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Gneiss or Schist
Gneiss or Mica Schist with Garnet
Metamorphic
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Tumbled granite
Granite, a coarse-grained felsic intrusive igneous rock
igneous
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic
Pegmatite with Tourmaline and Quartz
Igneous Pegmatite
igneous
Granite
Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)
igneous