mineral

Clear Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Colorless to white; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: Indistinct/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: Colorless to white
Luster: Vitreous

Identified February 1, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Colorless to white; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: Indistinct/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of silica-rich magma or through hydrothermal precipitation in veins. Found in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments worldwide, forming over millions of years across various geological ages.

Uses & applications

Used in electronics for its piezoelectric properties, glassmaking, abrasives, jewelry, and as a popular specimen for collectors and metaphysical practitioners.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It exhibits piezoelectricity, meaning it generates an electric charge in response to applied mechanical stress.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its ability to scratch glass, its six-sided prismatic crystals with pyramidal terminations, and the absence of cleavage. Commonly found in granite pegmatites and hydrothermal veins.