mineral
Clear Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Colorless to transparent; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity: 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Colorless to transparent
- Luster
- Vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Colorless to transparent; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Forms in wide variety of environments, most commonly from the cooling of magma or in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites. It is one of the most abundant minerals in Earth's crust.
Uses & applications
Used in jewelry, decorative items, electronics (piezoelectric properties), and glassmaking. Highly valued by collectors for varied forms.
Geological facts
Quartz is known as the 'Universal Crystal' in various cultures. It is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust after feldspar.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and common six-sided prismatic crystal shape when non-tumbled. Found globally.
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Other mineral specimens
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Sandstone with Mineral Veining or Crust
Sedimentary Sandstone (mostly SiO2 with Fe2O3 tinting)
sedimentary
Schist
Schist
Metamorphic
Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase)
Orthoclase (KAlSi3O8)
mineral
Gypsum (variety Selenite or Alabaster)
Calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4·2H2O)
Mineral
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic