mineral

Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to colorless; Luster: Vitreous/greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Milky white to colorless
Luster: Vitreous/greasy

Identified July 14, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to colorless; Luster: Vitreous/greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of silica-rich magma or from hydrothermal veins. It is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's crust and can be found in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments.

Uses & applications

Used in glass manufacturing, electronics (due to piezoelectric properties), construction as an abrasive, and frequently in jewelry or as decorative healing crystals.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Pure quartz, traditionally called rock crystal, is colorless and transparent or translucent.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it can scratch glass and steel) and its lack of cleavage. Look for its characteristic shell-like (conchoidal) fracture pattern and its 'milky' appearance.