mineral

Quartz (Vein Quartz)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to translucent with iron staining; Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Milky white to translucent with iron staining
Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy

Identified March 22, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through hydrothermal processes where silica-rich hot fluids fill fractures and crevices in existing rock. This specimen appears water-worn, suggesting it was once part of a vein that weathered out and was transported by water.

Uses & applications

Used in the production of glass, ceramics, and abrasives. In construction, it is used as road fill or in concrete. Small milky specimens are popular for beginner rock collections and landscaping.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is piezoelectric, meaning it generates an electric charge in response to mechanical stress, which is why it is used in watches and electronic oscillators.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its inability to be scratched by a steel knife (7 hardness) and its characteristic waxy/glassy luster. It is ubiquitous globally, often found in riverbeds, mountains, and beaches.