mineral
Clear Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Colorless/Transparent, Luster: Vitreous (glassy), Crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal, Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.65
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Colorless/Transparent, Luster: Vitreous (glassy), Crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal, Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Forms in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments; primarily crystallizes from cooling magma or hydrothermal veins. Common in glacial till across the Upper Midwest (Minnesota region).
Uses & applications
Used in electronics (oscillators), gemstones, glassmaking, abrasives, and as a popular collector's specimen.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. This specimen appears tumbled or water-worn, potentially by glacial action or stream transport.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its transparency and ability to scratch glass. Near the 45.1N, 93.8W coordinates (Minnesota), it is a common component of glacial drift and river gravels.
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Epidote
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metamorphic
Gypsum (variety Selenite or Alabaster)
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Mineral
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Nephrite
Mineral/Rock
Banded Gneiss (River Rock/Pebble)
Gneiss (specifically a banded variety often found as a river rock)
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