mineral

Milky Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: White to translucent milky white, Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy, Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal, Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.65

Identified June 24, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms from the crystallization of hydrothermal veins or during the cooling of igneous magma bodies and metamorphic processes. It is found in a wide variety of geological environments ranging from Precambrian to Holocene.

Uses & applications

Used in the production of glass, ceramics, and electronics (due to piezoelectric properties). Often used as a landscaping stone, in construction aggregates, or as decorative specimens for mineral collectors.

Geological facts

The milky white color is caused by tiny inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during the crystal's growth. It is the most common variety of crystalline quartz found on Earth’s surface.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it can scratch glass and steel), white color, and lack of cleavage. It is found globally in mountains, riverbeds, and as part of granite outcrops.