mineral
Clear quartz crystal
Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 7 Mohs; colorless to cloudy white with a vitreous luster and hexagonal crystal structure. The specimen appears partly translucent, with irregular fractures and inclusions; quartz has no cleavage and commonly breaks conchoidally.
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Physical properties
Hardness 7 Mohs; colorless to cloudy white with a vitreous luster and hexagonal crystal structure. The specimen appears partly translucent, with irregular fractures and inclusions; quartz has no cleavage and commonly breaks conchoidally.
Formation & geological history
Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich magma and hydrothermal fluids, and also forms in metamorphic and sedimentary settings. Its age cannot be determined from the image; quartz occurs in rocks of nearly every geological age.
Uses & applications
Used in jewelry, glassmaking, electronics, and as a mineral-collecting specimen.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is piezoelectric, generating an electrical charge under pressure.
Field identification & locations
Identify it by its glassy luster, lack of cleavage, and ability to scratch ordinary glass. Quartz is widespread worldwide, commonly found in veins, pegmatites, and many rock types.
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