mineral
Quartz in Host Rock
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, colorless to translucent, conchoidal fracture, hexagonal crystal system.
Identified More mineral →
Explore Quartz in Host Rock in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, colorless to translucent, conchoidal fracture, hexagonal crystal system.
Formation & geological history
Formed in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites through the cooling of silica-rich solutions over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used in electronics, watchmaking, glass manufacturing, and as a popular mineral specimen for collectors.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in Earth's continental crust and exhibits piezoelectric properties, meaning it can generate an electric charge under mechanical stress.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its high hardness (scratches glass) and hexagonal crystal habit. Found worldwide in nearly all geological environments.
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Soil with Mineral Detritus and Quartz Fragments
Regolith / Silicate Mineral Aggregate
sedimentary
Limonite / Goethite (Iron Ore Mineral nodule)
FeO(OH)·nH2O / FeO(OH)
mineral
Schist
Schist
Metamorphic
Septarian Pebble
Septarian nodule / Concretion
sedimentary
Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase)
Orthoclase (KAlSi3O8)
mineral