mineral

Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Colorless to white/light tan, Luster: Vitreous/glassy, Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal, Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.65

Identified June 2, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Colorless to white/light tan, Luster: Vitreous/glassy, Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal, Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Quartz forms in a wide variety of environments, primarily through the cooling of silica-rich magma or from hydrothermal veins. It is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's crust and can be found in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks.

Uses & applications

Used in glass making, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, construction sand, and as common gemstones or decorative specimens.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is highly resistant to both chemical and physical weathering.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (it scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and glassy appearance. Common in river beds, mountainous regions, and granite outcrops globally.