mineral

Quartz Fragment

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Clear to white with slight yellow tint; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Clear to white with slight yellow tint
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified July 20, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Clear to white with slight yellow tint; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).

Formation & geological history

Forms through magma cooling or hydrothermal activity in veins. Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's crust, found in all rock types and dating back billions of years.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in glassmaking, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, and as a popular collector's mineral and gemstone base.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It can withstand significant weathering, which is why it often makes up the majority of river and beach sand.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and glassy appearance. Found globally in almost every environment from mountains to beaches.