mineral

Clear Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Colorless/Transparent; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Colorless/Transparent
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified April 4, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Colorless/Transparent; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Forms from the cooling of silica-rich magma or from hydrothermal veins. It is found in all types of geological environments (igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary) and has been forming throughout Earth's history.

Uses & applications

Used in electronics for its piezoelectric properties, glassmaking, construction (as sandpaper or abrasives), and widely in jewelry and meditation/spiritual practices.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Pure quartz is known as 'rock crystal.' It was historically used to make lenses and crystal balls.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its ability to scratch glass, its six-sided crystal habit, and its lack of cleavage. Common in granite outcrops, riverbeds, and mountain ranges globally.