mineral

Milky Quartz with inclusions

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Opaque white to pale pinkish-white with gray/green inclusions; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified June 7, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms in hydrothermal veins or as a primary constituent of granitic pegmatites. The milky appearance is caused by tiny inclusions of liquid or gas trapped during the crystal's growth.

Uses & applications

Used in the electronics industry for its piezoelectric properties, as an abrasive, in glass manufacturing, and as a popular specimen for rock collectors.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in the Earth's continental crust. Milky quartz is often associated with gold and other precious metal deposits in hydrothermal vein systems.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (will scratch glass), lack of cleavage, and common occurrence in igneous and metamorphic terrains. Found globally, especially in mountain ranges and riverbeds.