mineral

Quartz on Matrix

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Colorless to white crystals; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.65

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

Identified July 20, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Colorless to white crystals; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed from hydrothermal solutions or the cooling of silica-rich magma; commonly found in veins or as crystal linings in rock cavities. Geological age varies widely from Precambrian to Cenozoic.

Uses & applications

Used in glass manufacturing, electronics (due to piezoelectric properties), construction abrasive, and as mineral specimens for collectors.

Geological facts

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

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (it scratches glass) and lack of cleavage (breaks with conchoidal fracture). Common in mountainous regions and riverbeds worldwide. Collectors look for well-defined crystal points.