mineral
Quartz Crystal Fragment
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White/Colorless; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- White/Colorless
- Luster
- Vitreous (glassy)
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White/Colorless; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed from silica-rich hydrothermal solutions or the cooling of magma. It can be found in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments worldwide.
Uses & applications
Used in electronics (oscillators), glassmaking, abrasives, jewelry, and as a popular specimen for gemstone collectors.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is piezoelectric, meaning it can generate an electric charge in response to applied mechanical stress.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its hardness (it can scratch glass and steel) and lack of cleavage planes. Found globally in a variety of outcrops and riverbeds.
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