mineral

Quartz (Small Fragment)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

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

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

Identified June 2, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

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

Formation & geological history

Forms in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments through the cooling of silica-rich magma or from hydrothermal veins. It is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's crust across all geological ages.

Uses & applications

Widely used in electronics for its piezoelectric properties, glassmaking, construction as abrasive sand, and as a popular gemstone or collector's specimen.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Pure quartz is known as rock crystal, while impurities give rise to amethyst, citrine, and rose quartz.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its ability to scratch glass and lack of cleavage planes. Look for glassy luster and hexagonal crystal points in larger specimens. Found globally in almost all rock types.