mineral

Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: typically white or colorless in this form; Luster: vitreous (glassy) to waxy; Crystal structure: hexagonal/trigonal; Cleavage: none (conchoidal fracture).

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: typically white or colorless in this form
Luster: vitreous (glassy) to waxy

Identified June 2, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: typically white or colorless in this form; Luster: vitreous (glassy) to waxy; Crystal structure: hexagonal/trigonal; Cleavage: none (conchoidal fracture).

Formation & geological history

Forms through the crystallization of silica-rich magma or from hydrothermal veins. It is found in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments across all geological ages.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in the electronics industry (piezoelectric properties), glassmaking, abrasives, construction sand, and as a gemstone or collector's mineral.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Its name comes from the German word 'Quarz', which has ancient Slavic origins.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its inability to be scratched by a steel knife and its lack of cleavage. It is found globally in almost all geological settings, particularly in riverbeds and mountainous terrain.