mineral

Quartz (Crystal Fragment)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale; Color: Clear to translucent milky white; Luster: Vitreous (glass-like); Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale
Color: Clear to translucent milky white
Luster: Vitreous (glass-like)

Identified March 16, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of silica-rich magma or from hydrothermal veins. It is found across all geological ages and is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's crust.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in glass making, abrasive manufacturing, electronics (due to piezoelectric properties), and as a gemstone in jewelry or for decorative collecting.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is chemically very stable and resistant to weathering, which is why it is the primary component of most beach sand.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its ability to scratch glass and its lack of cleavage (it breaks in irregular, curved shards). Found globally in pegmatites, crystals pockets, and riverbeds.