mineral

Quartz (Quartzite fragment)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White to translucent/light yellow; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (hexagonal); Cleavage: Indistinct/Conchoidal fracture; SG: 2.65

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: White to translucent/light yellow
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified July 9, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White to translucent/light yellow; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (hexagonal); Cleavage: Indistinct/Conchoidal fracture; SG: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed from the crystallization of magma or precipitation from hydrothermal veins. This specific specimen appears to be a worn fragment of common milky or smoky quartz, possibly from a metamorphic quartzite or a hydrothermal vein.

Uses & applications

Used widely in glassmaking, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, construction aggregates, and as gemstones or collector minerals.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is highly resistant to chemical and physical weathering, which is why it is often found as rounded pebbles in rivers and beaches.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it will easily scratch glass) and lack of cleavage (it breaks into irregular, shell-like curves). It is found globally in almost all geological environments.