mineral

Quartz (Milky/Crystalline fragment)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

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

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

Identified June 2, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

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

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of silica-rich magma or from hydrothermal veins. It is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's crust and can be found in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in glassmaking, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, and as a gemstone or decorative specimen in jewelry.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is highly resistant to both chemical and physical weathering, which is why it is the primary component of most beach sands.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it will scratch glass), lack of cleavage, and glassy appearance. Common worldwide in nearly all geological settings including mountains and riverbeds.

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Arenite (SiO2 based)

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Nephrite Jade

Nephrite

Mineral/Rock

Banded Gneiss (River Rock/Pebble)

Gneiss (specifically a banded variety often found as a river rock)

Metamorphic Rock

Biotite Schist

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