mineral

Blue Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with inclusions

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale blue to sky blue; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (hexagonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Pale blue to sky blue
Luster: Vitreous

Identified June 7, 2026More mineral →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale blue to sky blue; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (hexagonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed in igneous or metamorphic environments where quartz crystals incorporate inclusions like crocidolite, dumortierite, or tourmaline, giving it a blue hue. It is found in ancient pegmatites or hydrothermal veins.

Uses & applications

Primarily used in jewelry, as decorative stones, and in metaphysical rock collecting. It is also used as an ornamental stone in landscaping.

Geological facts

Unlike many blue gemstones which get their color from trace elements, blue quartz often derives its color from the scattering of light (Tyndall effect) caused by tiny mineral inclusions. It is frequently associated with calming properties in folklore.

Field identification & locations

Look for a translucent to opaque milky blue stone that cannot be scratched by a steel knife. It is commonly found in Brazil, India, and the United States (specifically Virginia and North Carolina). Collectors should look for even color distribution.