mineral

Quartz (Milky or Cloudy)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

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

Identified July 20, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of silica-rich magma or from hydrothermal veins. Milky quartz specifically contains microscopic fluid inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during crystal growth.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, abrasives, electronics (piezoelectric properties), and as decorative gravel or gemstones.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in Earth's crust. Milky quartz is the most common variety of crystalline quartz found in nature.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (it will scratch glass) and lack of cleavage. It is ubiquitous in riverbeds, mountains, and as veins in other rock types globally.