mineral

Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

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

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

Identified June 2, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

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

Formation & geological history

Formed from cooling magma or via hydrothermal activity in veins. It is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's crust and can be found in rocks of all geological ages.

Uses & applications

Used in glass making, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, construction as an aggregate, and widely in jewelry as gemstones.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in the Earth's continental crust. It can withstand significant chemical and physical weathering due to its hardness and lack of cleavage.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (will scratch glass), glassy luster, and lack of cleavage. It is found globally in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments.