mineral / metamorphic
Quartz / Quartzite
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White to translucent (milky); Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- White to translucent (milky)
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
Identified More mineral / metamorphic →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White to translucent (milky); Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed through the cooling of silica-rich magma or the metamorphic recrystallization of sandstone under high heat and pressure. Found in geological environments ranging from the Precambrian to the Cenozoic.
Uses & applications
Used in glassmaking, abrasives, construction aggregates, and as a component in electronics (piezoelectric properties). Also used for lapidary work and as pocket stones for collectors.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Its name comes from the German 'quarz' and may have ancient Slavic roots meaning 'hard'. It is resistant to chemical weathering.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its ability to scratch glass and its lack of cleavage (it breaks in irregular shards). Commonly found in river beds, beaches, and mountain outcrops globally. Look for its crystalline sparkle and waxy texture.
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