mineral
Quartz
Silicon dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Colorless to white (milky), often with iron staining (yellow/brown); Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 (Mohs scale)
- Luster
- Vitreous (glassy)
Identified More mineral →
Explore Quartz in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Colorless to white (milky), often with iron staining (yellow/brown); Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed through the cooling of magma or precipitation from hydrothermal veins. It is found in all types of rocks (igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary) and can be over a billion years old depending on the host rock.
Uses & applications
Used in glass manufacturing, electronics (due to piezoelectric properties), abrasives, construction as aggregate, and extensively in jewelry and gemstone collecting.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Its name comes from the German word 'quarz', which originally meant 'hard'.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its hardness (it can scratch glass and steel), lack of cleavage, and glassy appearance. It is found globally in mountains, riverbeds, and beaches.
More like this
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