mineral

Quartz (Milky or White Quartz)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to opaque; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (hexagonal system); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Milky white to opaque
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified March 22, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to opaque; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (hexagonal system); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of silica-rich magma or from hydrothermal veins. It is found in a wide variety of geological environments and can be from any geological age, though commonly found in igneous and metamorphic terrains.

Uses & applications

Used in the production of glass, ceramics, and abrasives; in electronics for its piezoelectric properties; in construction as a component of concrete; and in jewelry or as decorative stone.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Its milky color is caused by microscopic inclusions of fluids or gas trapped during the crystal's formation.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (will scratch glass and steel), lack of cleavage, and characteristic milky appearance. It is found globally, notably in the Appalachian Mountains, Urals, and Brazilian Highlands. Collectors look for well-formed crystal points.

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