mineral

Milky Quartz

Quartz (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Opaque white to creamy; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (often found as massive habits); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Opaque white to creamy
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified March 24, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from the crystallization of silica-rich hydrothermal fluids or through the cooling of magma in igneous veins. Common across all geological eras from Precambrian to the present.

Uses & applications

Used as a source of silica for glassmaking, in abrasive production, for landscaping, and as a decorative stone. High-quality specimens are used in electronics for their piezoelectric properties.

Geological facts

Milky quartz gets its cloudy white appearance from millions of microscopic fluid inclusions—tiny bubbles of gas or liquid trapped during its formation. It is the most common variety of crystalline quartz on Earth.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its white color, ability to scratch glass (hardness), and lack of cleavage planes. It is globally abundant, often found in mountain ranges, alluvial deposits, and pegmatite veins.