mineral

Quartz (Milky/Clear Fragment)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

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

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Colorless to milky white
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified June 2, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

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

Formation & geological history

Forms in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments through the cooling of magma or precipitation from hydrothermal veins. It is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's crust.

Uses & applications

Used in glass manufacturing, electronics (due to piezoelectric properties), construction as an aggregate, and jewelry as gemstones.

Geological facts

Quartz is highly resistant to both chemical and physical weathering, which is why it is the primary component of most beach sands. It is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its ability to scratch glass, its glassy luster, and its characteristic curved (conchoidal) fracture. Found worldwide in almost all geological settings.