mineral

Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, color ranges from clear to white, pink, or brownish, vitreous to greasy luster, trigonal 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, color ranges from clear to white, pink, or brownish, vitreous to greasy luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture, specific gravity of 2.65

Formation & geological history

Forms in a wide variety of geological environments, including igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, often crystallizing from silica-rich hydrothermal solutions or cooling magma

Uses & applications

Used in electronics, oscillators, glassmaking, abrasives, gemstones, and ornamental objects

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust and exhibits piezoelectric properties, meaning it can generate an electrical charge when compressed

Field identification & locations

Easily identified in the field by its hardness of 7 (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and conchoidal fracture; found globally in almost every rock type