mineral

Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Clear to white; Luster: Vitreous/glassy; Crystal structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Clear to white
Luster: Vitreous/glassy

Identified June 1, 2026More mineral →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Clear to white; Luster: Vitreous/glassy; Crystal structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed from cooling magma or precipitation from hydrothermal veins. It is found in almost all geological environments and ranges from Precambrian to recent ages.

Uses & applications

Used in glass manufacturing, electronics (oscillators), abrasives, jewelry (gemstones), and construction as an aggregate.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is piezoelectric, meaning it generates an electric charge when subjected to mechanical stress.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its inability to be scratched by steel, its glassy luster, and shell-like (conchoidal) fracture patterns. Commonly found in riverbeds, mountains, and desert sands.