mineral

Banded Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Cream, white, and tan bands; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Cream, white, and tan bands
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified May 3, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Cream, white, and tan bands; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed from hydrothermal solutions or within veins where silica-rich fluids cooled and crystallized in layers over time, often within host rock cavities.

Uses & applications

Used primarily in lapidary work, jewelry as cabochons, and as decorative landscaping stones or collector specimens.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. The banding represents different stages of mineral deposition or varying impurity concentrations during growth.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (it will scratch glass), lack of cleavage, and distinct layering. Commonly found in riverbeds, beaches, and mountainous regions worldwide.