mineral
Quartz with Host Rock
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Clear/white crystals on a grey/brown matrix, Luster: Vitreous (glassy), Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal, Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Clear/white crystals on a grey/brown matrix, Luster: Vitreous (glassy), Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal, Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
Formation & geological history
Formed from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids cooling in rock cavities or veins. This specific specimen appears to be a small quartz crystal attached to a piece of its parent host rock, likely igneous or metamorphic.
Uses & applications
Quartz is used in glassmaking, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, and as a collector's specimen.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is extremely chemically stable and resistant to weathering.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its ability to scratch glass and its glassy luster. Common in many environments globally. For collectors, look for well-defined crystal faces and transparency.
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