mineral

Clear Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Colorless to transparent; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Colorless to transparent
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified March 25, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Colorless to transparent; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling and crystallization of silica-rich hydrothermal fluids or magma. Found in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments worldwide, often in veins or geodes.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in electronics (oscillators), optics, glassmaking, construction (sand), and as a popular gemstone for jewelry, carvings, and metaphysical collections.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It exhibits piezoelectricity, meaning it generates an electric charge when mechanical stress is applied.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (scratches glass but not vice versa), glassy luster, and lack of cleavage. Common worldwide, with significant deposits in Brazil, Arkansas (USA), and Madagascar.