sedimentary
Sand Grain (Silica/Quartz Grain)
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Brownish-grey/translucent; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Brownish-grey/translucent
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Brownish-grey/translucent; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed through the mechanical and chemical weathering of pre-existing igneous or metamorphic rocks (like granite). This specific grain appears to be a clastic sedimentary particle weathered over thousands of years.
Uses & applications
Construction (concrete/mortar), glass manufacturing, hydraulic fracturing, and as an abrasive in industrial sandblasting.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in Earth's crust. Most 'sand' is actually broken down quartz because it is chemically stable and physically hard enough to resist erosion longer than other minerals.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its ability to scratch glass and lack of reaction to acid. In the field, microscopic examination of grain roundness can tell a geologist how far the sediment traveled from its source.
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