mineral

Quartz (Milky/Clear)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

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

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

Identified May 27, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

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

Formation & geological history

Formed from cooling magma in igneous rocks or precipitated from hydrothermal veins. Found in various geological ages and environments, from volcanic to metamorphic settings.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, construction sand, and as a popular gemstone or healing crystal.

Geological facts

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

Field identification & locations

Identify by its ability to scratch glass and its lack of cleavage (it breaks like glass with curved surfaces). Extremely common globally in mountains, riverbeds, and beaches.