mineral

White Quartz

Quartz (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to milky white; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: White to milky white
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified July 30, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to milky white; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed from silicon and oxygen atoms in a continuous framework of SiO4 tetrahedra, commonly crystallizing from hydrothermal veins and igneous or metamorphic rocks across various geological ages.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, electronics, oscillators, gemstones, and ornamental objects.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in Earth's continental crust and exhibits piezoelectric properties, meaning it can generate an electrical charge under mechanical stress.

Field identification & locations

Identified easily by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and conchoidal fracture. Found worldwide in virtually all geological environments.