mineral

Quartz with Host Rock Matrix

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous to greasy luster, hexagonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture, lacks cleavage. Color ranges from milky white to clear translucent quartz sitting on a dark grey-brown metamorphic or igneous matrix.

Identified July 25, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through hydrothermal crystallization in veins, pegmatites, or igneous intrusions under moderate to high temperature and pressure conditions.

Uses & applications

Used widely in lapidary work, jewelry, electronics (piezoelectric applications), glassmaking, abrasive manufacturing, and as decorative mineral specimens.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in Earth's continental crust. Its unique piezoelectric property allows it to generate an electric charge under mechanical stress, making it essential for precision timekeeping in quartz watches.

Field identification & locations

Can be identified in the field by its high hardness (scratches glass and steel), lack of cleavage, glassy fracture surfaces, and resistance to chemical weathering. Common globally in granitic terrains, alpine veins, and river gravels.