mineral
Blue Quartz
Quartz (Silicon Dioxide) with inclusions, SiO2
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Grayish-blue to deep blue; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (Conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65.
- Hardness
- 7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- Grayish-blue to deep blue
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Grayish-blue to deep blue; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (Conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed in igneous and metamorphic environments. The blue color is typically caused by inclusions of other minerals like crocidolite, tourmaline, or dumortierite within the quartz matrix during crystallization.
Uses & applications
Primarily used as a decorative stone, in jewelry as cabochons or beads, and as a popular specimen for mineral collectors.
Geological facts
Unlike blue sapphire or topaz, the color in blue quartz is caused by the scattering of light by microscopic mineral inclusions, a phenomenon known as the Tyndall effect.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its signature waxy luster and blue-gray hue. It is commonly found in Brazil, India, and the United States (Virginia and North Carolina). Look for its characteristic lack of cleavage and hard, scratch-resistant surface.
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