mineral
White Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal System: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (exhibits conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Milky white to translucent
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
Identified More mineral →
Explore White Quartz in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal System: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (exhibits conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Forms in a wide variety of geological environments, most commonly as a primary mineral in igneous rocks like granite and pegmatites, as well as in hydrothermal veins and metamorphic rocks like quartzite.
Uses & applications
Used in the manufacture of glass, ceramics, abrasives, electronics (piezoelectric oscillators), and as decorative stones or gemstones.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in Earth's continental crust. It exhibits piezoelectricity, meaning it can generate an electric charge in response to applied mechanical stress.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and conchoidal fracture. Found worldwide in almost every geological setting.
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Soil with Mineral Detritus and Quartz Fragments
Regolith / Silicate Mineral Aggregate
sedimentary
Limonite / Goethite (Iron Ore Mineral nodule)
FeO(OH)·nH2O / FeO(OH)
mineral
Septarian Pebble
Septarian nodule / Concretion
sedimentary
Schist
Schist
Metamorphic
Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase)
Orthoclase (KAlSi3O8)
mineral