mineral

Quartz (Field Specimen)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: typically white, clear, or tan (iron-stained in this specimen); Luster: Vitreous to greasy on fractured surfaces; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (Trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Luster: Vitreous to greasy on fractured surfaces

Identified July 15, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of silica-rich magma or from hydrothermal veins. This specific specimen appears to be a river-worn or weathered nodule that has been fractured to reveal a crystalline interior.

Uses & applications

Quartz is used in glassmaking, abrasives, electronics (due to piezoelectric properties), and as a gemstone or collector specimen.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is highly resistant to chemical and physical weathering, which is why it often remains as rounded pebbles in riverbeds.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it will scratch glass and steel), lack of cleavage, and conchoidal (shell-like) fracture. Found globally in almost all geological environments.