mineral
Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colorless or varies widely in shades of white, gray, yellow, or brown, vitreous to greasy luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage, specific gravity of 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colorless or varies widely in shades of white, gray, yellow, or brown, vitreous to greasy luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage, specific gravity of 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Forms in virtually all geological environments—igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. Often crystallizes from silica-rich hydrothermal veins and granitic magmas, or precipitates from aqueous solutions over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used in electronics, oscillators, glassmaking, abrasive materials, gemstone carving, and mineral collections.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant and widely distributed minerals on the Earth's surface, forming an essential component of many rocks like granite and sandstone.
Field identification & locations
Easily identifiable by its high hardness (scratches glass easily), lack of cleavage, and conchoidal fracture. Found globally on every continent.
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Other mineral specimens
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Soil with Mineral Detritus and Quartz Fragments
Regolith / Silicate Mineral Aggregate
sedimentary
Limonite / Goethite (Iron Ore Mineral nodule)
FeO(OH)·nH2O / FeO(OH)
mineral
Septarian Pebble
Septarian nodule / Concretion
sedimentary
Schist
Schist
Metamorphic
Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase)
Orthoclase (KAlSi3O8)
mineral