mineral
Quartz Crystal
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, clear to white or milky color, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage, specific gravity of 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, clear to white or milky color, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage, specific gravity of 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Forms in hydrothermal veins, pegmatites, and as a primary constituent of many igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks over a wide geological timeframe.
Uses & applications
Widely used in electronics, oscillators, optics, glassmaking, abrasives, gemstones, and decorative items.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust and exhibits piezoelectric properties, meaning it can generate an electrical charge when compressed.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its hardness (scratches glass), crystal shape, and lack of cleavage. Found worldwide in nearly every geological environment.
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Septarian Pebble
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Schist
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Metamorphic
Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase)
Orthoclase (KAlSi3O8)
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