mineral

Clear Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Colorless/transparent; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Colorless/transparent
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified March 25, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Colorless/transparent; 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 from hydrothermal veins. It can be found in almost all geological environments and across all ages of Earth's crust.

Uses & applications

Used in electronics for its piezoelectric properties, glassmaking, construction abrasives, and as a gemstone in jewelry and metaphysical collecting.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Historically, it was used by ancient civilizations to make 'crystal balls' and tools due to its durability and clarity.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its ability to scratch glass and its lack of cleavage. Common in mountain ranges like the Alps, Himalayas, and Arkansas, USA. When collecting, look for six-sided prisms and conchoidal (shell-like) fractures.