mineral
Blue Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with inclusions
Mohs hardness of 7; gray to pale blue color; vitreous to greasy luster; trigonal crystal system; conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage; specific gravity of 2.65
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Physical properties
Mohs hardness of 7; gray to pale blue color; vitreous to greasy luster; trigonal crystal system; conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage; specific gravity of 2.65
Formation & geological history
Forms in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments, often colored blue by microscopic fibrous inclusions of minerals such as dumortierite, crocidolite, or tourmaline
Uses & applications
Used in gemstone and lapidary work, carved decorative objects, crystal healing, and mineral collections
Geological facts
The blue color in blue quartz is typically allochromatic, caused by light scattering off tiny microscopic inclusions rather than structural trace elements
Field identification & locations
Identified by its hard nature, conchoidal fracture, and characteristic grayish-blue coloration; commonly found in pegmatites and hydrothermal veins worldwide
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