mineral
Quartz (Milky/Snow)
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 7; Color: milky white to translucent; Luster: vitreous (glassy) to waxy; Crystal structure: hexagonal/trigonal; Cleavage: none (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65
- Color
- milky white to translucent
- Luster
- vitreous (glassy) to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness 7; Color: milky white to translucent; Luster: vitreous (glassy) to waxy; Crystal structure: hexagonal/trigonal; Cleavage: none (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Commonly forms in hydrothermal veins, pegmatites, and as a primary mineral in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks throughout geological history.
Uses & applications
Used in glass manufacturing, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, watches, and as a gemstone or decorative specimen.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Its name comes from the German word 'quarz', which originally comes from Slavic 'hard'.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (can scratch glass) and lack of cleavage. It is ubiquitous globally and found in almost all geological environments.
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Gneiss or Schist
Gneiss or Mica Schist with Garnet
Metamorphic
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Tumbled granite
Granite, a coarse-grained felsic intrusive igneous rock
igneous
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic
Pegmatite with Tourmaline and Quartz
Igneous Pegmatite
igneous
Granite
Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)
igneous