mineral
Blue Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with inclusions (typically Magnesio-riebeckite or Tourmaline)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Grayish-blue to waxy blue; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Grayish-blue to waxy blue
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Grayish-blue to waxy blue; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed primarily in igneous and metamorphic environments, often found in pegmatites or as a result of post-magmatic processes where mineral inclusions scatter light (Tyndall effect) to create the blue hue.
Uses & applications
Used mostly for lapidary work, ornamental carvings, crystal healing collections, and as decorative landscaping stones.
Geological facts
Unlike blue sapphire, the blue in this quartz is usually caused by the physical scattering of light by microscopic inclusions rather than chemical substitution in the crystal lattice.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (cannot be scratched by a steel knife) and its distinct waxy, bluish-grey translucency. It is commonly found in Brazil, India, and Virginia (USA).
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