mineral

Quartz (Milky/Rose variety)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Translucent to opaque white/pale pink; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Translucent to opaque white/pale pink
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified March 26, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Translucent to opaque white/pale pink; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed from the cooling of silica-rich magma or through hydrothermal activity in veins and geodes. It can be found in rocks from all geological ages but is a primary constituent of granitic pegmatites.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, as a gemstone in jewelry (when polished), and industrial abrasives. It is also highly valued in electronics for its piezoelectric properties and widely collected as mineral specimens.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Historically, the word 'Quartz' is derived from the German word 'Quarz' and the Polish term 'kwardy', meaning hard.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (will scratch glass), lack of cleavage, and characteristic waxy to glassy appearance when broken. It is found globally, notably in the USA (Arkansas), Brazil, and Madagascar.