mineral

Quartz (Vein Quartz)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan to milky white with iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Tan to milky white with iron staining
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified April 6, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through hydrothermal processes where silica-rich fluids fill fractures in surrounding rock. It can also form during the cooling of igneous magma. This specific specimen appears to be a weathered fragment from a vein.

Uses & applications

Used in construction as aggregate, in glassmaking, as a gemstone (when high quality), and in the electronics industry due to its piezoelectric properties.

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 pebbles long after other minerals have eroded.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it will scratch glass), lack of cleavage, and waxy/vitreous luster. Found globally in almost all geological environments.