mineral

Quartz Crystal Cluster

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Clear to translucent milky white. Luster: Vitreous/Glassy. Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal). Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Clear to translucent milky white
Luster: Vitreous/Glassy

Identified March 19, 2026More mineral →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Clear to translucent milky white. Luster: Vitreous/Glassy. Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal). Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed through hydrothermal processes where silica-rich hot water fills veins and cavities in host rocks. As the water cools and pressure drops, the minerals precipitate out and grow into crystals. This specimen appears attached to a matrix of host rock, likely igneous or metamorphic.

Uses & applications

Used in the electronics industry for its piezoelectric properties (watches, radios), as an abrasive in glassmaking, in jewelry and lapidary art, and widely sought after by mineral collectors.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Its name comes from the German word 'Quarz', which originally meant 'hard'. Some ancient cultures believed quartz was 'permanent ice' frozen by the gods.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its characteristic 6-sided hexagonal points and its ability to scratch glass (hardness test). Common globally, but famous high-quality deposits are found in Arkansas (USA), Brazil, and the Alps. Look for termination points and clarity when collecting.