mineral
Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale; color ranges from colorless to white, gray, purple, pink, etc.; vitreous luster; hexagonal crystal system; conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage; specific gravity of 2.65.
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; color ranges from colorless to white, gray, purple, pink, etc.; vitreous luster; hexagonal crystal system; conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage; specific gravity of 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Forms in a wide variety of geological environments, including igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. Frequently precipitates from hydrothermal veins and silica-rich solutions.
Uses & applications
Used in electronics, oscillators, glassmaking, abrasives, gemstones, and ornamental objects.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust, surpassed only by feldspar.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified by its high hardness (scratches glass), conchoidal fracture, and lack of cleavage. Found globally in almost all rock types.
