mineral
Milky Quartz
Quartz (Silicon Dioxide - SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: White to greyish-white (milky appearance), Luster: Vitreous to greasy, Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal, Cleavage: Poor/Conchoidal fracture, Specific gravity: 2.65
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: White to greyish-white (milky appearance), Luster: Vitreous to greasy, Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal, Cleavage: Poor/Conchoidal fracture, Specific gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites through the cooling of silica-rich fluids. It can be found in almost all geological environments and ages, often associated with igneous intrusions or metamorphic belts.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in the glassmaking industry, as an abrasive, in the production of silicon wafers for electronics, and as decorative aggregate in landscaping or construction.
Geological facts
The milky appearance is caused by tiny fluid inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during the crystal's growth. It is one of the most common minerals found in the Earth's crust.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its hardness (it will easily scratch glass), its lack of cleavage, and its characteristic waxy or vitreous luster. It is often found as veins in host rock or as water-worn pebbles in stream beds.
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Green Apatite on Albite
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