mineral

Quartz (small fragment)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: white to translucent; Luster: vitreous (glassy); Crystal structure: trigonal/hexagonal; Cleavage: none (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: white to translucent
Luster: vitreous (glassy)

Identified May 29, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: white to translucent; Luster: vitreous (glassy); Crystal structure: trigonal/hexagonal; Cleavage: none (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed via crystallization from magma or precipitation from hydrothermal veins. This specimen likely originates from a larger weathered mass or gravel deposit. Quartz can be of any geological age from Archean to recent.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, abrasives, electronic oscillators (piezoelectric properties), and as a common gemstone or landscaping aggregate.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is highly resistant to chemical and physical weathering, which is why it often remains as small pebbles or grains long after other minerals have eroded.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it will scratch glass), its glassy luster, and its lack of cleavage. Look for it in river beds, mountainous regions, or scattered in garden soil.