mineral

Quartz (with Sandstone/Quartzite rocks)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: White to translucent/colorless fragment in the foreground; background rocks are reddish-tan. Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to earthy. Crystal System: Trigonal. Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific Gravity: ~2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: White to translucent/colorless fragment in the foreground
Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to earthy

Identified July 22, 2026More mineral →

Explore Quartz (with Sandstone/Quartzite rocks) in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz forms in a wide variety of geological environments including igneous pegmatites, hydrothermal veins, and sedimentary deposits through the precipitation of silica-rich fluids. The surrounding reddish rocks show iron-oxide staining common in terrestrial weathering environments.

Uses & applications

Quartz is widely used in glassmaking, electronics (piezoelectric applications), abrasive manufacturing, construction aggregates, gemstone jewelry, and mineral collecting.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is resistant to chemical and physical weathering, which is why it dominates most desert sands and river sediments worldwide.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its ability to easily scratch glass (hardness 7) and lack of cleavage. It is commonly found globally in riverbeds, mountain terrains, desert soils, and granite outcrops.