mineral
Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Clear to white with reddish iron staining; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Clear to white with reddish iron staining
- Luster
- Vitreous (glassy)
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Clear to white with reddish iron staining; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed from cooling magma or hydrothermal veins. Found in all types of geological environments (igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary) across most geological eras.
Uses & applications
Used in glassmaking, abrasives, electronics (piezoelectric properties), construction as an aggregate, and as a gemstone or specimen for collectors.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Pure quartz is known as rock crystal, while this specimen shows iron oxide staining common in surface finds.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its hardness (strikes sparks with steel, scratches glass) and lack of cleavage. Found globally in riverbeds, mountains, and deserts.
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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