mineral

Quartz / Vein Quartz

Quartz (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to translucent grayish; Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Milky white to translucent grayish
Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy

Identified April 6, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through hydrothermal processes where silicon-rich fluids fill fractures in surrounding rock. It can also be found in igneous rocks like granite or as a primary component in metamorphic rocks. Occurs across all geological eras.

Uses & applications

Used widely in glass making, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, as a construction aggregate, and in jewelry (as semiprecious stones like amethyst or citrine).

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 is the primary component of most beach sand.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its inability to be scratched by a steel knife (7 hardness) and its lack of cleavage. It often has a 'sugary' or glassy appearance and is common in riverbeds and mountainous terrain.