mineral

Rough Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 Mohs; Color: Colorless to milky white; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 Mohs
Color: Colorless to milky white
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified June 28, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 Mohs; Color: Colorless to milky white; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Quartz forms mainly from the cooling of magma in igneous rocks like granite or from hydrothermal veins. It is found in all types of geological environments and can be from any geological era due to its extreme durability.

Uses & applications

Used in electronics as piezoelectric oscillators, in glassmaking, construction as sand, and as gemstones for jewelry and crystal collecting.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is often used in watches and clocks because it vibrates at a very precise frequency when an electric current is applied.

Field identification & locations

Look for a glassy appearance and the ability to scratch glass without breaking. It lacks cleavage planes and breaks in curved, shell-like patterns (conchoidal fracture). It is found worldwide.