mineral

Quartz (Raw Chunk)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Clear to smoky-greyish and tan in this specimen; Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Clear to smoky-greyish and tan in this specimen
Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy

Identified April 6, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz forms in a wide variety of environments, most commonly by crystallizing from cooling magma or precipitating from hydrothermal veins. It is found in igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks worldwide.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in jewelry as semi-precious gemstones, in electronics for its piezoelectric properties, in glassmaking, and as a component in concrete and construction materials.

Geological facts

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

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its distinct glass-like fracture (conchoidal), its inability to be scratched by a steel knife, and its lack of cleavage. Common in many terrains, particularly granite outcrops and riverbeds.