mineral

Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Colorless to white/gray (milky); Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65.

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

Identified April 7, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Colorless to white/gray (milky); Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of silica-rich magma or from hydrothermal veins. It is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's crust and can be found in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in electronics (oscillators), glassmaking, abrasives, construction (sand), and as a gemstone in jewelry. It is also highly valued by mineral collectors for its crystal forms.

Geological facts

Quartz is piezoelectric, meaning it generates an electric charge when mechanical pressure is applied. It is also the primary component of most beach sands and has a high resistance to chemical weathering.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it will scratch glass), its lack of cleavage, and its characteristic greasy-to-glassy luster. Common worldwide, especially in granitic rocks and pegmatites.