mineral
Quartz fragment
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous to greasy luster, hexagonal crystal structure when fully formed, milky white to yellowish-tan color with conchoidal fracture.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous to greasy luster, hexagonal crystal structure when fully formed, milky white to yellowish-tan color with conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments, crystallizing from magma or precipitating from hydrothermal fluids.
Uses & applications
Used in glassmaking, electronics, abrasives, construction aggregates, and as decorative gravel or mineral specimens.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust after feldspar, and it resists chemical and physical weathering extremely well.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its high hardness (scratches glass, cannot be scratched by steel), lack of prominent cleavage, and glossy glassy fracture surfaces. Extremely common worldwide.
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Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Schist
Schist
Metamorphic
Septarian Pebble
Septarian nodule / Concretion
sedimentary
Sandstone with Mineral Veining or Crust
Sedimentary Sandstone (mostly SiO2 with Fe2O3 tinting)
sedimentary
Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase)
Orthoclase (KAlSi3O8)
mineral
Gypsum (variety Selenite or Alabaster)
Calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4·2H2O)
Mineral