Mineral

Quartz Vein Rock

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

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

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Milky white to translucent with iron staining
Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy

Identified March 12, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from hydrothermal solutions (hot, mineral-rich water) circulating through fractures in host rocks where the silica precipitates as it cools or pressure changes. These can form across various geological ages from Precambrian to recent.

Uses & applications

Common quartz is used as a flux in metallurgy, in the glass industry, and as an abrasive. Polished specimens are used in lapidary work or as garden stones. It is also a primary source of industrial silica.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. These white veins are often 'paths' that prospectors follow, as they can sometimes contain trace amounts of gold, silver, or copper.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (will scratch glass), absence of cleavage, and translucent appearance. It is commonly found in mountainous or volcanic regions where tectonic activity has cracked the Earth's crust.