mineral / metamorphic
Quartz (Massive Quartz or Quartzite)
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White, tan, grey, or yellow due to impurities; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (though massive in this form); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- White, tan, grey, or yellow due to impurities
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
Identified More mineral / metamorphic →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White, tan, grey, or yellow due to impurities; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (though massive in this form); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed through the crystallization of magma or via hydrothermal activity. If quartzite, it is formed from the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure. It can be found in terrains of almost any geological age.
Uses & applications
Used in glass manufacturing, as an abrasive, in construction as aggregate, and in high-purity forms for electronics and solar panels. Massive chunks are often used for landscaping.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is chemically stable and physically durable, which is why it often survives as large boulders while surrounding rocks erode.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (it will scratch glass and steel), lack of cleavage, and conchoidal (shell-like) fracture edges. Commonly found in riverbeds, glacial tills, and mountain outcrops.
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