mineral

Clear Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Colorless to white/translucent; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: Indistinct/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65

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

Identified June 9, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Colorless to white/translucent; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: Indistinct/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed through the crystallization of magma or from hydrothermal vents and silicate-rich fluids. It can be found in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments across all geological ages.

Uses & applications

Used in electronics (oscillators), optical instruments, glass manufacturing, abrasives, jewelry, and for specimen collecting.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is piezoelectric, meaning it generates an electric charge in response to applied mechanical stress.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its glassy luster, inability to be scratched by a steel knife (hardness), and characteristic conchoidal (shell-like) fracture patterns. Frequently found in pegmatites and riverbeds.