mineral

Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: White, colorless, milky. Luster: Vitreous to greasy. Crystal structure: Trigonal. Cleavage: None, conchoidal fracture. Specific gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: White, colorless, milky
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified July 29, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: White, colorless, milky. Luster: Vitreous to greasy. Crystal structure: Trigonal. Cleavage: None, conchoidal fracture. Specific gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed in a wide variety of geological environments, commonly in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, often crystallizing from silica-rich hydrothermal solutions.

Uses & applications

Used in electronics, oscillators, glassmaking, abrasive materials, gemstone carving, and ornamental objects.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's continental crust and exhibits piezoelectric properties, meaning it can generate an electrical charge under mechanical stress.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified by its high hardness (scratches glass), conchoidal fracture, and lack of cleavage. Found worldwide in nearly all types of rock formations.