mineral

Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: White to colorless (milky in this specimen). Luster: Vitreous/glassy. Crystal structure: Trigonal/hexagonal. Cleavage: Indistinct/conchoidal fracture. Specific gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: White to colorless (milky in this specimen)
Luster: Vitreous/glassy

Identified June 1, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of silica-rich magma or from hydrothermal veins. It is found in all types of geological environments and can be from any geological age, often appearing as veins in igneous or metamorphic host rocks.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in glass making, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, construction as an aggregate, and in jewelry/lapidary arts.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is highly resistant to chemical and physical weathering, which is why it's the primary component of most beach sands.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and conchoidal fracture. Commonly found in quartz veins or as granules in sedimentary rocks like sandstone.