Specimen at a glance
| Mineral | Quartz (var. milky) |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | SiO2 |
| Mohs hardness | 7 |
| Crystal system | Trigonal |
| Locality | Merrimack County, New Hampshire |
| Form | Lot / parcel |
| You receive | The exact lot pictured |
About this specimen
Parcel of milky phantom quartz crystals from Merrimack, New Hampshire. Lot #71. Approximately 9 pieces per parcel, each showing visible phantom growth zoning.
Milky quartz: the science
- The white color is not a pigment. It is light scattering off countless microscopic fluid bubbles, the same way foam looks white.
- Phantoms are ghost outlines of an earlier crystal, preserved when growth paused and a thin film of inclusions settled on the old faces.
- New Hampshire’s granite and pegmatite belts are among the classic quartz-collecting regions of New England.
Go deeper
Want the full story on milky quartz: how it forms, how to identify it, and what makes a great specimen?
Questions about this piece
What is milky quartz?
Milky quartz is quartz clouded white by millions of microscopic fluid inclusions, tiny bubbles of liquid and gas trapped as the crystal grew.
Where was it found?
This lot comes from Merrimack County, New Hampshire. We list a locality whenever it is known, because where a mineral formed is part of its story and its value.
How hard is it, and how should I care for it?
It rates 7 on the Mohs scale. Mohs 7 and durable. Rinse in lukewarm water with a soft brush to remove dust and air dry.
Is this the exact lot I will receive?
Yes. This lot was photographed as a group, and you receive the pieces shown.
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