mineral

Blue Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with fibrous inclusions (such as tourmaline, magnesio-riebbeckite, or crocidolite)

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale. Color: Light blue to grayish-blue, translucent to opaque. Luster: Vitreous to waxy. Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal. Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale
Color: Light blue to grayish-blue, translucent to opaque
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified July 25, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms in metamorphic and igneous geological environments where quartz crystallizes alongside fibrous blue silicate minerals like magnesio-riebbeckite or tourmaline, imparting its blue hue.

Uses & applications

Popular among mineral collectors, used in lapidary work for cabochons, carvings, decorative ornaments, and crystal healing applications.

Geological facts

Unlike amethyst or citrine, which get their color from trace element substitutions in the crystal lattice, blue quartz typically derives its color from physical inclusions of blue minerals embedded within quartz matrix.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its scratch resistance (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and soft light blue hue. Found in localities such as Brazil, Madagascar, Virginia (USA), and Scandinavia.

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