mineral

Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Colorless to white/gray (milky); Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Colorless to white/gray (milky)
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified April 3, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Colorless to white/gray (milky); Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of magma or by hydrothermal precipitation from hot solutions. It is found in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments across all geological ages.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, abrasives, electronic oscillators (due to piezoelectricity), construction (as sand/aggregate), and as a gemstone or specimen for collectors.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is highly resistant to both chemical and physical weathering, which is why it is the primary component of most beach sand.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (will scratch glass), lack of cleavage, and glassy appearance. It is found globally, often in veins or as loose pebbles in riverbeds.