mineral

Quartz (Small Fragment)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: typically clear or white (milky); Luster: vitreous; Crystal structure: trigonal/hexagonal; Cleavage: none (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: typically clear or white (milky)
Luster: vitreous

Identified May 29, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: typically clear or white (milky); Luster: vitreous; Crystal structure: trigonal/hexagonal; Cleavage: none (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed from cooling magma or hydrothermal veins. It is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's crust, present in almost all geological environments and dating back billions of years.

Uses & applications

Used in electronics (as piezoelectric crystals), glassmaking, abrasives, gemstones for jewelry, and as a common collectible for beginners.

Geological facts

Quartz is stable enough to survive weathering that destroys other minerals, which is why it is the primary component of beach sand. It can generate an electric charge when mechanical pressure is applied.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (cannot be scratched by a steel knife) and its glass-like fracture without cleavage planes. Found globally in granites, sandstones, and quartz veins.