Mineral

Rough Quartz (with Feldspar inclusions)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White to milky with tan/pink feldspar staining; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (hexagonal system); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: White to milky with tan/pink feldspar staining
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified March 8, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from cooling silica-rich magma (igneous) or through hydrothermal activity in pegmatites and veins. These specimens are ubiquitous across almost all geological ages, but frequently found in Precambrian or Paleozoic formations.

Uses & applications

Used in the manufacture of glass, ceramics, and electronics (silicon chips). Lower quality rough specimens are used in construction aggregate or as decorative landscape stone. High-purity specimens are used in jewelry and gemstone collecting.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Historically, the Greeks believed crystal quartz was 'permanent ice' that had frozen so hard it could never melt.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (will scratch glass and steel) and lack of cleavage planes. Frequently found in riverbeds, mountains, and desert outcrop. Look for the 'sugary' or glassy texture and resistance to weathering.

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