mineral

Quartz (Crystal Cluster)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

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

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

Identified June 2, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

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

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of silica-rich magma or precipitation from hydrothermal veins. It can be found in all types of geological environments and ages, often filling cracks and cavities in rocks.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in electronics for frequency control, glassmaking, abrasives, and as a popular gemstone/decorative specimen for collectors and holistic practices.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Pure quartz is known as rock crystal, and it is piezoelectric, meaning it generates an electric charge when mechanical stress is applied.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (will scratch glass), hexagonal crystal habit with pyramid-shaped terminations, and lack of cleavage. Common in granite outcrops and beach sands globally.