mineral

Quartz (Rose or Milky)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 Mohs; Color: translucent white to faint pink; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: Indistinct (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 Mohs
Color: translucent white to faint pink
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified June 6, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 Mohs; Color: translucent white to faint pink; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: Indistinct (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed primarily in igneous rocks like granite through cooling magma or in hydrothermal veins where silica-rich fluids precipitate in rock cavities. Found across various geological ages.

Uses & applications

Used in glass manufacturing, electronics (due to piezoelectric properties), construction material, abrasives, and as semi-precious gemstones in jewelry and home decor.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Rose quartz specifically gets its color from trace amounts of titanium, iron, or manganese, while milky quartz contains microscopic fluid inclusions.

Field identification & locations

Identified in the field by its ability to scratch glass, its lack of cleavage (it breaks in curved chips), and its glassy appearance. Common in pegmatites and mountain ranges.