mineral

Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale; white, clear, or gray color; vitreous luster; hexagonal crystal system; conchoidal fracture; specific gravity of 2.65

Identified July 31, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale; white, clear, or gray color; vitreous luster; hexagonal crystal system; conchoidal fracture; specific gravity of 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed in a wide variety of geological environments, including igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, often crystallizing from silica-rich hydrothermal veins and pegmatites.

Uses & applications

Used in electronics, watchmaking, glass manufacturing, abrasives, and as a gemstone or ornamental mineral.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of the most abundant and widely distributed minerals found on Earth's continental crust.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified by its high hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and characteristic conchoidal fracture. Found worldwide in nearly every geological setting.