mineral

Clear Quartz (Rock Crystal)

Quartz (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)

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

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Colorless/Transparent
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified March 25, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Colorless/Transparent; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); 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 found in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments worldwide and can date back billions of years depending on the host rock formation.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, and widely in jewelry/semi-precious gemstones. It is also popular in holistic practices and mineral collecting.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Pure clear quartz is known as 'Rock Crystal' and was believed by Ancient Greeks to be permanently frozen ice.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its ability to scratch glass (Hardness 7), lack of cleavage, and terminal points forming a six-sided pyramid. Common in mountainous regions, riverbeds, and pegmatite mines.

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