mineral

Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

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

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Colorless to milky white/gray
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified May 7, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

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

Formation & geological history

Formed from cooling hydrothermal veins or igneous magma. It is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's crust and can be found in almost all geological environments.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, ceramics, electronics (as oscillators due to piezoelectric properties), construction as an abrasive, and in jewelry or as decorative gemstones.

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 applied mechanical stress.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (will scratch glass and steel), lack of cleavage, and conchoidal (shell-like) fracture patterns. Frequently found in gravel, stream beds, and mountainous regions.