mineral

Milky Quartz

Quartz (Silicon Dioxide - SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: White to cloudy. Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy. Crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal. Cleavage: Indistinct/None. Specific gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: White to cloudy
Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy

Identified May 29, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: White to cloudy. Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy. Crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal. Cleavage: Indistinct/None. Specific gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed from the crystallization of silica-rich magma or hydrothermal fluids. The milky appearance is caused by tiny inclusion of gas, liquids, or both, trapped during crystal growth.

Uses & applications

Used as an abrasive, in glassmaking, and in electronics (piezoelectric properties). Often used as a landscaping decorative stone or for metaphysical/collecting purposes.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Milky quartz is the most common variety of crystalline quartz found in nature.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its ability to scratch glass, its white cloudy color, and its lack of cleavage (conchoidal fracture). It is found worldwide in igneous and metamorphic terrains.