mineral

Vuggy Quartz on Matrix

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan to white with translucent crystals; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Tan to white with translucent crystals
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified May 4, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan to white with translucent crystals; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed from hydrothermal fluids rich in silica precipitating within cavities (vugs) of a host rock, likely a sedimentary or volcanic base that has undergone weathering or erosion on a shoreline.

Uses & applications

Used primarily as decorative collector specimens, educational material, and sometimes tumbled for lapidary use.

Geological facts

This specimen is 'vuggy,' meaning it contains many small cavities lined with crystals. These vugs often form when gas bubbles are trapped in cooling lava or when mineral-bearing water dissolves existing rock material.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (will scratch glass) and the presence of small, sparkling translucent crystals within pits. Common on rocky beaches or areas with historical volcanic activity.