mineral

Tumbled Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, clear to milky white or pale yellow color, vitreous to greasy luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage, specific gravity of 2.65.

Identified August 5, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, clear to milky white or pale yellow color, vitreous to greasy luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage, specific gravity of 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Forms in a wide range of geological environments, most commonly in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. Quartz is crystallizing out of silica-rich solutions or magmas over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Widely used in jewelry, lapidary arts, decorative items, electronics (oscillator crystals), glassmaking, and abrasive materials.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust, surpassed only by feldspar. It exhibits piezoelectric properties, meaning it can generate an electrical charge in response to applied mechanical stress.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified by its high hardness (scratches glass), conchoidal fracture, and lack of cleavage. Tumbled specimens are frequently found in gravel bars, river beds, and commercial rock shops worldwide.