mineral
Quartz (Raw Chunk)
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Clear to yellowish/milky white; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Clear to yellowish/milky white
- Luster
- Vitreous (glassy)
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Clear to yellowish/milky white; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed from cooling magma or precipitation from hydrothermal veins. It is found in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments worldwide.
Uses & applications
Used in glassmaking, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, jewelry, and as a popular collector specimen.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is chemically very stable and resistant to weathering, which is why it is the primary component of most beach sand.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (it will scratch glass) and its lack of cleavage. Look for glassy luster and hexagonal crystal faces in well-formed specimens.
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Schist
Schist
Metamorphic
Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase)
Orthoclase (KAlSi3O8)
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Calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4·2H2O)
Mineral
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic