mineral

Clear Quartz (Rock Crystal)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Colorless/transparent with some iron staining or inclusions; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal prism; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Colorless/transparent with some iron staining or inclusions
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified March 11, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from silica-rich hydrothermal solutions or the cooling of igneous pegmatites. It can be found in virtually all geological ages and environments, most commonly in veins and cavities of igneous and metamorphic rocks.

Uses & applications

Used in electronics for its piezoelectric properties (oscillators), in glass making, as an abrasive, and extensively in jewelry and lapidary arts. It is also a popular specimen for mineral collectors.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Historically, the Ancient Greeks believed quartz was ice that had frozen so hard it would never melt, hence the name 'krystallos' (ice).

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hexagonal crystal habit, lack of cleavage, and ability to scratch glass. Commonly found in riverbeds, mountain ranges, and mine tailings globally. Collectors look for clarity and well-defined terminations.