mineral

Quartz (Milky or Pink-tinged)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale. Color: White to pale pink. Luster: Vitreous to greasy. Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal. Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale
Color: White to pale pink
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified March 22, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale. Color: White to pale pink. Luster: Vitreous to greasy. Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal. Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling and crystallization of silica-rich magma or from hydrothermal veins. This specific specimen appears to be a water-worn or weathered pebble likely transported by fluvial or glacial action.

Uses & applications

Used in the manufacturing of glass, abrasives, and electronics (due to piezoelectricity). When polished, it is used in landscaping, low-cost jewelry, and lapidary art.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Its name comes from the German word 'quarz', which originally meant 'hard'. It is resistant to chemical weathering and durable enough to survive long-distance transport in rivers.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its inability to be scratched by a steel pocket knife and its lack of cleavage. It often has a 'waxy' appearance when tumbled. Commonly found in riverbeds, beach gravel, and as components of granite or sandstone.

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