mineral

Clear Quartz Crystal

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Colorless to transparent; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: Indistinct/None; Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Colorless to transparent
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified April 14, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Colorless to transparent; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: Indistinct/None; Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling and crystallization of silica-rich hydrothermal fluids in veins or cavities within igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. They grow over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Used in electronics for its piezoelectric properties (oscillators, watches), glass-making, jewelry, optics, and as decorative collector specimens.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is piezoelectric, meaning it generates an electric charge when mechanical pressure is applied.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its transparent appearance, hexagonal prism shape with pyramidal ends, and the ability to scratch glass. Found worldwide, with major deposits in Brazil and Arkansas, USA.