mineral
Blue Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale. Color: Blue, grayish-blue, or lavender-blue. Luster: Vitreous to greasy. Crystal Structure: Trigonal. Cleavage: None, exhibits conchoidal fracture. Specific Gravity: 2.65.
- Hardness
- 7 on the Mohs scale
- Color
- Blue, grayish-blue, or lavender-blue
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
Identified More mineral →
Explore Blue Quartz in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale. Color: Blue, grayish-blue, or lavender-blue. Luster: Vitreous to greasy. Crystal Structure: Trigonal. Cleavage: None, exhibits conchoidal fracture. Specific Gravity: 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Forms in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments. The blue color is typically caused by microscopic inclusions of fibrous minerals like crocidolite or dumortierite, or Rayleigh scattering from tiny inclusions.
Uses & applications
Used widely in lapidary arts, jewelry making, decorative carvings, and as a collector's specimen.
Geological facts
Blue quartz is relatively rare compared to other varieties of quartz like amethyst or citrine. Its soothing blue hue makes it popular in metaphysical practices for communication and calmness.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified by its distinctive blue color, lack of cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and a hardness of 7 which easily scratches glass. Commonly found in Brazil, India, South Africa, and the USA.
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Soil with Mineral Detritus and Quartz Fragments
Regolith / Silicate Mineral Aggregate
sedimentary
Limonite / Goethite (Iron Ore Mineral nodule)
FeO(OH)·nH2O / FeO(OH)
mineral
Schist
Schist
Metamorphic
Septarian Pebble
Septarian nodule / Concretion
sedimentary
Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase)
Orthoclase (KAlSi3O8)
mineral