mineral

Quartz and Quartzite

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: typically white, grey, or colorless (milky); Luster: vitreous (glassy) to waxy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: typically white, grey, or colorless (milky)
Luster: vitreous (glassy) to waxy

Identified July 9, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the crystallization of silica-rich magma or precipitation from hydrothermal veins. The more granular/metamorphic-looking pieces (quartzite) formed from the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under heat and pressure.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, abrasives, electronic components, and construction as aggregate. Often collected as basic mineral specimens.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is chemically and physically very stable, which is why it often remains as pebbles long after other minerals have weathered away.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its ability to scratch glass and lack of cleavage. These specimens are common in riverbeds, mountain scree, and landscaping gravel globally.