mineral
Clear quartz (rock crystal)
Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 7 Mohs; colorless to faintly smoky, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal structure, and no true cleavage (fractures conchoidally). The pictured specimen appears to be a large, rough, partly translucent crystal or crystal fragment.
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Physical properties
Hardness 7 Mohs; colorless to faintly smoky, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal structure, and no true cleavage (fractures conchoidally). The pictured specimen appears to be a large, rough, partly translucent crystal or crystal fragment.
Formation & geological history
Forms as silica-rich fluid cools in cavities and veins, or crystallizes from magma; quartz occurs in rocks of many geological ages and settings.
Uses & applications
Used in jewelry and collecting; industrial quartz is important in glassmaking, abrasives, and electronics.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and often forms six-sided prisms ending in pointed crystal faces.
Field identification & locations
Identify it by its glassy appearance, lack of cleavage, and ability to scratch ordinary glass; common worldwide in veins, pegmatites, and sedimentary rocks.
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Other mineral specimens
Gneiss or Schist
Gneiss or Mica Schist with Garnet
Metamorphic
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Tumbled granite
Granite, a coarse-grained felsic intrusive igneous rock
igneous
Pegmatite with Tourmaline and Quartz
Igneous Pegmatite
igneous
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic
Granite
Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)
igneous