sedimentary
Quartz Sand Gravel
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: primarily clear, white, or tan; Luster: vitreous (glassy); Crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal; Specific gravity: 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- primarily clear, white, or tan
- Luster
- vitreous (glassy)
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: primarily clear, white, or tan; Luster: vitreous (glassy); Crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal; Specific gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed through the weathering and erosion of igneous and metamorphic rocks like granite. These particles are typically transported by water or wind and deposited as sediment.
Uses & applications
Used in glass manufacturing, water filtration, concrete production, and as an abrasive material in industrial sandblasting.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. These small grains represent the final stages of a rock's breakdown before it becomes fine sand.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (scratches glass) and lack of cleavage. Common in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial deposits worldwide.
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