mineral

Quartz (Grain/Fragment)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Clear to translucent white; Luster: Vitreous/Glassy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Clear to translucent white
Luster: Vitreous/Glassy

Identified March 21, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Clear to translucent white; Luster: Vitreous/Glassy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed through the crystallization of molten magma or from hydrothermal veins. It is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's crust, found in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks across all geological ages.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in glass making, electronics (due to piezoelectric properties), abrasives, construction (as sand/aggregate), and as gemstones or collectors' specimens.

Geological facts

Quartz is chemically and physically very resistant to weathering. When rocks erode, quartz grains often remain to form beach and river sand. It is also the first mineral to be used in 'crystal' oscillators for precise timekeeping in watches.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it will scratch glass), its lack of cleavage (breaks like glass in curved shards), and its glassy appearance. Widely found in granite outcrops, riverbeds, and beaches globally.