mineral

Quartz (Small fragments)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

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

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

Identified March 21, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Colorless to white/grey; 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 rocks from almost any geological age.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, and as a component in concrete and mortar. Clear varieties are used in jewelry and as healing crystals in spiritual practices.

Geological facts

Quartz is the most diverse mineral on Earth, occurring in many varieties like Amethyst and Citrine. It is historically significant as the first 'unbreakable' material used by early humans for tools before the Bronze Age.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its ability to scratch glass, its lack of cleavage, and its glassy appearance. These small fragments are common in riverbeds, crushed gravel, and as components in granitic rocks worldwide.