sedimentary

Quartz Sand / Sandstone grains

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: translucent white, tan, off-white; Luster: vitreous (glassy) to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal (as individual quartz grains); Cleavage: none.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: translucent white, tan, off-white
Luster: vitreous (glassy) to dull

Identified July 24, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: translucent white, tan, off-white; Luster: vitreous (glassy) to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal (as individual quartz grains); Cleavage: none.

Formation & geological history

Formed through the mechanical and chemical weathering and erosion of pre-existing igneous, metamorphic, or sedimentary rocks rich in quartz, transported by water or wind and deposited in beach, river, or dune environments.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, concrete production, mortar, hydraulic fracturing (proppant), water filtration, and sandblasting.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of the most resistant minerals to chemical and physical weathering, which is why quartz sand makes up the vast majority of desert dunes and ocean beaches around the world.

Field identification & locations

Identified by fine, loose to loosely compacted granular quartz particles that scratch glass. Abundant worldwide along riverbeds, beaches, and deserts.