mineral

Clear Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Colorless/Transparent; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: Colorless/Transparent
Luster: Vitreous

Identified June 19, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Colorless/Transparent; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of silica-rich magma or from hydrothermal veins. It can be found in all types of rocks (igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic) across various geological ages.

Uses & applications

Used in electronics (as a piezoelectric material), optics, glassmaking, clocks, and extensively in jewelry and gemstone collections.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is often referred to as 'Rock Crystal' when found in these pure, transparent forms.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (scratches glass), glass-like luster, and absence of cleavage. Commonly found in mountains, riverbeds, and as inclusions in granite. Essential for mineral collectors due to its iconic hexagonal points.