mineral

Milky Quartz

Quartz (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white with reddish-brown iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Milky white with reddish-brown iron staining
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified July 21, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids in veins or as a late-stage crystallization in igneous rocks like pegmatites. The milky appearance is caused by microscopic inclusions of fluids or gas trapped during crystal growth. Common in the Birimian and Tarkwaian geological formations of West Africa.

Uses & applications

Used as a source of silica for glassmaking and electronics, as dynamic aggregate in construction, and as a semi-precious stone in jewelry or landscape decoration.

Geological facts

Quartz is the most abundant mineral in the Earth's continental crust. The reddish tint on this specimen is likely limonite or hematite staining from the surrounding tropical soil (laterite).

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its inability to be scratched by a steel knife and its lack of cleavage. In Ghana and surrounding regions, quartz veins are often associated with gold mineralization, making them high-interest markers for prospectors.