mineral
Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
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
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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.
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Other mineral specimens
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Sandstone with Mineral Veining or Crust
Sedimentary Sandstone (mostly SiO2 with Fe2O3 tinting)
sedimentary
Schist
Schist
Metamorphic
Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase)
Orthoclase (KAlSi3O8)
mineral
Gypsum (variety Selenite or Alabaster)
Calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4·2H2O)
Mineral
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic