mineral

Massive Quartz

Silicon dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale, Color: white to light gray with some impurities, Luster: vitreous (glassy) to greasy, Crystal structure: trigonal (though lacks crystal faces in massive form), Cleavage: none (exhibits conchoidal fracture), Specific gravity: 2.65

Identified June 9, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids cooling in veins or as a major constituent of igneous rocks like granite and pegmatite. Its geological age varies widely depending on the host rock formation.

Uses & applications

Used in the manufacture of glass, as an abrasive, in construction materials, and in the production of silicon for electronics.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's continental crust. Massive quartz often hosts other valuable minerals, including gold, in hydrothermal veins.

Field identification & locations

Can be identified in the field by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, distinctive conchoidal fracture, and vitreous to greasy luster. Generally found worldwide in many geological settings.