mineral

Clear Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Colorless and transparent; Luster: Vitreous (glass-like); Crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Colorless and transparent
Luster: Vitreous (glass-like)

Identified July 4, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Colorless and transparent; Luster: Vitreous (glass-like); Crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed from cooling magma or hydrothermal veins. It is found in all types of environments: igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary. Quartz crystals grow as silica-rich water cools and crystallizes over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in glass making, electronics (piezoelectric properties), jewelry, gemstones, and as a popular collector's specimen.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is a piezoelectric material, meaning it generates an electric charge in response to applied mechanical stress, which is why it is used in watches and clocks.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it can scratch glass and steel), lack of cleavage, and conchoidal (shell-like) fracture patterns. It is found globally, notably in Brazil, Arkansas (USA), and Madagascar.