mineral

Milky Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Cloudy white to opaque; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65.

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

Identified April 4, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Cloudy white to opaque; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of silica-rich hydrothermal fluids in veins or from the crystallization of magma. The milky appearance is caused by microscopic inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during crystal growth.

Uses & applications

Used in electronics as a source of silicon, as an abrasive, in glassmaking, and in landscaping. It is also popular in jewelry and for spiritual/metaphysical collections.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Milky quartz is the most common variety of crystalline quartz found in nature. Historic civilizations often mistook it for 'permanent ice' due to its appearance.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its distinct white color, inability to be scratched by a steel knife, and hexagonal crystal shapes if visible. It is found globally, particularly in volcanic and metamorphic terrains.