mineral

Milky Quartz with Mica inclusions

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Muscovite/Biotite

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Opaque white to translucent grey with dark flecks; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: Opaque white to translucent grey with dark flecks
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified March 26, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of silica-rich hydrothermal solutions or magma in pegmatites and veins. These can range from hundreds of millions to billions of years old depending on the local geology.

Uses & applications

Used as an abrasive, in the production of glass and ceramics, and as a semi-precious stone for lapidary work. Crushed quartz is often used in construction and landscaping.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's crust. Milky quartz gets its appearance from tiny fluid inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during crystal growth.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (will scratch glass), lack of cleavage, and the presence of small, shiny mica flakes. Common in mountain ranges and riverbeds globally. Collectors look for well-formed crystal points.

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