mineral

Quartz (Milk or Clear Variety)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale; Color: Clear to translucent milky white; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale
Color: Clear to translucent milky white
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified July 11, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms in a wide variety of environments, primarily through the cooling of silica-rich magma or from hydrothermal veins. It is found in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks across all geological ages.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, abrasives, electronic oscillators (due to piezoelectricity), construction (as sand/aggregate), and widely in jewelry and crystal healing.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Its name comes from the German word 'Quarz', which has Slavic origins meaning 'hard'. It is the primary component of most beach sand.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (will scratch glass), lack of cleavage, and characteristic glassy luster with curved, shell-like fractures. Found globally in mountains and stream beds.

Other mineral specimens

See all

Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)

Arenite (SiO2 based)

sedimentary

Sandstone with Mineral Veining or Crust

Sedimentary Sandstone (mostly SiO2 with Fe2O3 tinting)

sedimentary

Schist

Metamorphic

Epidote

Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)

metamorphic

Gypsum (variety Selenite or Alabaster)

Calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4·2H2O)

Mineral

Nephrite Jade

Nephrite

Mineral/Rock