mineral

Clear quartz crystal

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Mohs hardness 7; colorless to pale pinkish, transparent to translucent, with a vitreous luster and hexagonal crystal structure. Quartz has indistinct cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and specific gravity about 2.65.

Identified August 9, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids or molten rock crystallize in veins, cavities, and pegmatites; individual crystals may range from geologically young to hundreds of millions of years old. The specimen appears natural but may be lightly damaged or partially polished.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in glass, electronics, abrasives, ceramics, and precision oscillators; clear crystals are also collected and used ornamentally or in jewelry. Pale pink material may be marketed as rose quartz, though true rose quartz is commonly massive rather than sharply crystallized.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is a major component of granite, sandstone, and many metamorphic rocks. Its piezoelectric property allows it to generate an electrical charge under pressure.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its glassy appearance, lack of cleavage, hardness sufficient to scratch ordinary glass, and six-sided crystal faces when preserved. Common sources include Brazil, Madagascar, the United States, and the Alps.