mineral

Milky Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: White to translucent
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified March 28, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed through hydrothermal processes, crystallization from cooling magma (igneous), or metamorphic fluid action; most common in pegmatites and quartz veins.

Uses & applications

Used in industry for glassmaking, abrasives, and electronics (as a source of silicon); common in landscaping, construction aggregate, and as a collector's specimen.

Geological facts

Milky quartz gets its white color from tiny bubbles of gas or liquid trapped during its formation. It represents the most common variety of crystalline quartz found on the Earth's surface.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its ability to scratch glass, its milky-white appearance without visible cleavage planes, and its characteristic waxy luster. Common in mountain ranges and riverbeds globally.