mineral
Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, transparent to opaque, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal system, and conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage.
Identified More mineral →
Explore Quartz in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, transparent to opaque, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal system, and conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Forms in a wide range of geological environments, including igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, often crystallizing from silica-rich hydrothermal solutions.
Uses & applications
Widely used in electronics, oscillators, glassmaking, abrasives, and as a popular gemstone or collector specimen.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust and exhibits piezoelectric properties, generating electric charge under mechanical stress.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and distinct crystal habit; found globally in nearly every geological setting.
