mineral

Clear Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Colorless/Transparent; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: Colorless/Transparent
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified May 25, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Colorless/Transparent; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed in almost all types of geological environments: igneous (crystallized from magma), metamorphic (recrystallized from other rocks), and sedimentary (deposited by water). Found worldwide in rocks of all geological ages.

Uses & applications

Used in jewelry, optics, electronics (as piezoelectric components), watches, and glass manufacture. Also highly valued as a gemstone and for spiritual collecting.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is thermally stable and chemically resistant. Piezoelectricity allows quartz to generate an electric charge under pressure, essential for timing in watches.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and transparent vitreous appearance. Common in granite and as crystals in geodes or veins. Found frequently in riverbeds and mountainous regions.