mineral

Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Clear to yellowish-white; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Clear to yellowish-white
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified June 9, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Clear to yellowish-white; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed from cooling magma or hydrothermal veins. It is found in all types of geological environments and can be from any geological era due to its extreme durability and abundance.

Uses & applications

Used in glass making, electronics (piezoelectric properties), jewelry, sandpaper, and as a component in concrete and mortar.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is highly resistant to both chemical and physical weathering.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it scratches glass) and its lack of cleavage. It often appears as glassy, translucent grains or hexagonal crystals. Found worldwide in beaches, riverbeds, and mountains.