mineral

Quartz (Clear or Milky)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

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 July 18, 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

Quartz forms in a wide variety of environments, including igneous rocks (granite, pegmatite), metamorphic rocks (quartzite), and sedimentary deposits. It often crystallizes from hydrothermal veins.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in glassmaking, abrasives, jewelry, electronics (due to piezoelectric properties), and as a structural component in the construction industry.

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 (scratches glass but isn't scratched by metal), its lack of cleavage (breaking in curved surfaces), and its glassy luster. Common worldwide, especially in sandy terrains or mountain outcrops.