mineral

Quartz Vein / Milky Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to tan (stained by iron oxides); Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Milky white to tan (stained by iron oxides)
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified June 29, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from hydrothermal solutions precipitating in rock fractures or as a primary mineral in igneous pegmatites. It can be found in a variety of geological ages and metamorphic environments.

Uses & applications

Used in the manufacture of glass, ceramics, and abrasives. High-purity quartz is essential for electronics (silicon wafers) and solar panels. Historically used for stone tools.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Milky quartz gets its opaque white color from tiny fluid inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during crystal growth.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (cannot be scratched by steel), glassy luster on fresh surfaces, and lack of cleavage. Often found as prominent white bands in darker host rock. Common worldwide in mountain ranges and gravel deposits.