mineral
Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and trigonal crystal system with various colors including clear, white, yellow, and brown.
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, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and trigonal crystal system with various colors including clear, white, yellow, and brown.
Formation & geological history
Formed in a wide range of geological environments, frequently crystallizing from silicate melts in igneous rocks or precipitating from hydrothermal solutions.
Uses & applications
Widely used in electronics for oscillators, glassmaking, abrasives, and as a popular gemstone and ornamental material in jewelry.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust and exhibits strong piezoelectric properties, generating an electric charge under mechanical stress.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified in the field by its high hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and distinct conchoidal fracture patterns.
