mineral

White Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: White or milky due to trapped gas or fluid inclusions, Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy, Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal, Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture), Specific gravity: 2.65

Identified March 27, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling and crystallization of silica-rich magma or from hydrothermal veins. It can be found in a wide variety of geological environments ranging from igneous to metamorphic and sedimentary rocks.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in the electronics industry (as oscillators), glass making, sandpaper, construction as aggregate, and in its polished form for metaphysical jewelry or decorative landscaping.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Milky quartz is the most common variety of crystalline quartz. It is often the primary component of beach sand in many parts of the world.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its ability to scratch glass and lack of cleavage. Look for a milky, opaque white appearance with a smooth, tumbled surface in beach or river environments. It's often found as veins in host rocks.