mineral
White Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 7 on the Mohs scale. Color: White, milky, or colorless. Luster: Vitreous to greasy. Crystal structure: Trigonal, commonly forming hexagonal prisms. Cleavage: None, exhibits conchoidal fracture. Specific gravity: 2.65.
- Hardness
- 7 on the Mohs scale
- Color
- White, milky, or colorless
- 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 the Mohs scale. Color: White, milky, or colorless. Luster: Vitreous to greasy. Crystal structure: Trigonal, commonly forming hexagonal prisms. Cleavage: None, exhibits conchoidal fracture. Specific gravity: 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed in a wide variety of geological environments, commonly precipitating from hydrothermal veins, crystallizing from silica-rich magma in pegmatites, and as a primary component of sedimentary rocks like sandstone. Can date from any geological era.
Uses & applications
Used in the manufacture of glass, electronics, oscillators, abrasives, gemstones, and ornamental objects.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals found in the Earth's continental crust. Milky quartz gets its white color from microscopic fluid inclusions trapped during crystal growth.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and conchoidal fracture. Found worldwide in almost all rock types.
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Gneiss or Schist
Gneiss or Mica Schist with Garnet
Metamorphic
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Tumbled granite
Granite, a coarse-grained felsic intrusive igneous rock
igneous
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic
Pegmatite with Tourmaline and Quartz
Igneous Pegmatite
igneous
Granite
Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)
igneous