mineral

Quartz (Milky/Rose variety)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale; Color: Translucent white to light pinkish-grey; Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale
Color: Translucent white to light pinkish-grey
Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy

Identified March 11, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of magma or by hydrothermal activity. It is common in igneous rocks like granite, as well as metamorphic and sedimentary environments. It can form in various geological ages from the Precambrian to recent times.

Uses & applications

Used in glass manufacturing, electronics (due to piezoelectric properties), construction aggregates, as an abrasive, and in jewelry or as decorative rough specimens for collectors.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Its name comes from the German word 'Quarz', which has Slavic origins meaning 'hard'. It is the standard mineral for 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (will scratch glass and steel), lack of cleavage, and glassy appearance. Commonly found globally in mountains, riverbeds, and as sand. It is a 'foundational' mineral for amateur collectors starting a gemstone collection.