mineral

Quartz (Common Quartz/Citrine-toned)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale yellow to off-white; Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Pale yellow to off-white
Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy

Identified July 16, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale yellow to off-white; Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture)

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of silica-rich magma or from hydrothermal veins. Often found in various geological environments including igneous intrusions and sedimentary deposits.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in the glass industry, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, and as a popular gemstone or healing crystal in the metaphysical community.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Its name comes from the German word 'Quarz', which has Slavic origins meaning 'hard'.

Field identification & locations

Can be identified by its inability to be scratched by a steel knife (hardness of 7) and its lack of cleavage. Often found as rounded pebbles in riverbeds or as sharp shards in rocky outcrops.