mineral

Clear Quartz

Quartz (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Colorless to transparent; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (Trigonal); Cleavage: Indistinct/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Colorless to transparent
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified May 10, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Colorless to transparent; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (Trigonal); Cleavage: Indistinct/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Forms in all temperatures and geological environments; most commonly crystallizes from molten magma or in hydrothermal veins. Found in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks across all geological ages.

Uses & applications

Widely used in electronics (oscillators), glassmaking, abrasives, and as a popular gemstone for jewelry and metaphysical collecting.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Its name comes from the Greek word 'krustallos', meaning ice, as ancient Greeks believed it was ice that had frozen so hard it would never melt.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of true cleavage (breaks like glass), and crystal habit. Commonly found globally, particularly in mountainous regions like the Alps, Brazil, and the USA.