mineral

Quartz (Milky/Clear variety)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale; Color: Colorless to white/milky; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65

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

Identified May 29, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale; Color: Colorless to white/milky; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Forms in a wide variety of environments including igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary processes. This specimen likely originated from a hydrothermal vein or as a component of granitic pegmatite.

Uses & applications

Used in electronics (as piezoelectric crystal), glass manufacturing, abrasives, jewelry (semiprecious), and construction (as sand/aggregate).

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is highly resistant to both chemical and physical weathering.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it will scratch glass), its glassy luster, and its characteristic shell-like (conchoidal) fracture pattern. Found globally in almost all geological terrains.