mineral

Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to colorless; Luster: Vitreous/glassy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/hexagonal; Cleavage: None/conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: White to colorless
Luster: Vitreous/glassy

Identified June 1, 2026More mineral →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to colorless; Luster: Vitreous/glassy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/hexagonal; Cleavage: None/conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed in various environments including cooling igneous magma, hydrothermal veins, and metamorphic rocks. It is one of the most common minerals in the Earth's crust.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, abrasives, electronic oscillators (piezoelectric properties), jewelry, and as a component in concrete and mortar.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is highly resistant to chemical and physical weathering, which is why it often ends up as beach sand.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and glassy appearance. Common in granite and found globally in mountainous or sandy areas.