mineral

Clear Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Colorless/Transparent; Luster: Vitreous (glass-like); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Colorless/Transparent
Luster: Vitreous (glass-like)

Identified June 15, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Colorless/Transparent; Luster: Vitreous (glass-like); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of silica-rich magma or precipitation from hydrothermal veins. It is found in all types of geological environments and can be from any geological age.

Uses & applications

Used in electronics for its piezoelectric properties, as an abrasive in glassmaking, and extensively in jewelry and gemstone carving. Also popular in metaphysical and collecting communities.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is highly resistant to both chemical and mechanical weathering. The word 'quartz' comes from the German word 'Quarz', which has Slavic origins.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (ability to scratch glass), lack of cleavage, and conchoidal (shell-like) fracture patterns. Found globally in mountains, riverbeds, and beach sands.