mineral

Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, color ranges from clear/white to yellow/brown due to iron impurities, vitreous (glassy) luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage, specific gravity of 2.65.

Identified July 29, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed in a wide variety of geological environments, commonly crystallizing from silica-rich hydrothermal veins, pegmatites, and as a primary component of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks over billions of years.

Uses & applications

Used widely in electronics (oscillators, watches), glassmaking, abrasives, gemstones, and as a decorative stone.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust, surpassed only by feldspar. It exhibits piezoelectric properties, generating an electric charge in response to applied mechanical stress.

Field identification & locations

Easily identifiable in the field by its high hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and characteristic conchoidal fracture. Found worldwide in beaches, rivers, and rock formations.