mineral
Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 7.0 on Mohs scale; Color: White to colorless; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65.
- Hardness
- 7
- Color
- White to colorless
- Luster
- Vitreous (glassy)
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7.0 on Mohs scale; Color: White to colorless; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Quartz forms primarily from the cooling and solidification of molten magma in igneous rocks, or through hydrothermal veins and precipitation from silica-rich groundwater. It is found across all geological ages.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in electronics (oscillators), glass manufacturing, abrasives, construction sands, and as gemstones in jewelry.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in the Earth's continental crust. It is piezoelectric, meaning it generates an electric charge when mechanical stress is applied.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (it can scratch glass and steel) and lack of cleavage. It is found worldwide in sands, granite mountains, and riverbeds.
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Gneiss or Schist
Gneiss or Mica Schist with Garnet
Metamorphic
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Tumbled granite
Granite, a coarse-grained felsic intrusive igneous rock
igneous
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic
Pegmatite with Tourmaline and Quartz
Igneous Pegmatite
igneous
Granite
Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)
igneous