mineral

Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Colorless to white/light grey, Luster: Vitreous (glassy), Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal, Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.65

Identified June 6, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Colorless to white/light grey, Luster: Vitreous (glassy), Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal, Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of silica-rich magma or precipitation from hydrothermal veins. It is found in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments worldwide and can date back billions of years.

Uses & applications

Extensively used in glass making, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, construction sand, and as a popular gemstone for jewelry and metaphysical collecting.

Geological facts

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

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it can scratch glass), its lack of cleavage, and its characteristic shell-like (conchoidal) fracture patterns. Found commonly in riverbeds and mountainous terrain.