mineral

Quartz (Milky/Clear variety)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Colorless to milky white; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65.

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

Identified January 11, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Colorless to milky white; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of silica-rich magma or from hydrothermal veins. It can be found in a wide variety of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments and can range from modern formations to billions of years old.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in glassmaking, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, construction sand, and as a semi-precious gemstone in jewelry and carving.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is highly resistant to both chemical and physical weathering, which is why it is the primary component of most beach sand.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its ability to scratch glass, its lack of cleavage (it breaks in curved, shell-like shards), and its glassy luster. It is ubiquitous worldwide, especially in granite outcrops, riverbeds, and mountain ranges.

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