Specimen at a glance
| Mineral | Quartz |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | SiO2 |
| Mohs hardness | 7 |
| Crystal system | Trigonal |
| Locality | New Jersey |
| Form | Raw / rough |
| You receive | The exact specimen pictured |
About this specimen
This specimen comes from the Upper New Street Quarry (also known historically as Burger’s Quarry) in Paterson, New Jersey — one of the most storied mineral-collecting sites in the state, worked since the 19th century and documented for producing quartz, amethyst, prehnite, datolite, pectolite, and even rare opal from cavities in the basalt trap rock. Paterson’s trap-rock quarries as a group are considered classic zeolite and mineral localities in American mineralogical literature.
Quartz (SiO₂) from this locality formed as silica-rich fluids deposited crystal layers inside gas cavities left in the cooling lava flow, alongside the zeolites and other secondary minerals the site is known for. This piece comes from an older collection, adding a bit of provenance to its locality documentation. At Mohs hardness 7, quartz is durable and easy to display — a soft, dry cloth is all the care it needs.
A meaningful piece for anyone collecting New Jersey minerals specifically, or building out a locality-documented quartz collection.
Inside the Quartz Crystal
One mineral species, a thousand looks — quartz is the shape-shifter of the mineral world.
The story: Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth’s crust, and it crystallizes in nearly every rock-forming environment on the planet — which is exactly why it shows up in this shop as clear points, milky clusters, smoky towers, ghostly phantoms, and druzy-crusted matrix, all built from the same simple formula.
Why collectors chase it: Because one species covers this much ground: a single collection can hold a dozen genuinely different-looking quartz pieces without ever repeating a mineral. Phantom growth lines, smoky color zoning, and druzy crusts each record a different chapter of how that particular crystal grew.
Care: Quartz shrugs off scratches and most chemicals at Mohs 7, but avoid sudden temperature swings (a hot dishwasher after a cold shelf can crack a large piece) and clean with a soft, dry cloth.
Quartz: the science
- Every natural quartz crystal has a six-sided prism capped by a point, the same trigonal geometry whether it is a thumbnail or a meter long.
- Quartz is piezoelectric: squeeze it and it produces a tiny voltage. That property is why quartz keeps time in watches and electronics.
- At Mohs 7 it scratches glass and steel, which is why quartz sand is the main abrasive in nature and why quartz outlasts almost everything on a beach.
Go deeper
Want the full story on quartz: how it forms, how to identify it, and what makes a great specimen?
Questions about this piece
What is quartz?
Quartz is crystalline silicon dioxide and one of the most common minerals in Earth’s crust. Clear, well-formed points and clusters grow in open cavities and veins where silica-rich fluids had room and time to crystallize.
Where was it found?
This piece comes from New Jersey. We list a locality whenever it is known, because where a mineral formed is part of its story and its value.
How hard is it, and how should I care for it?
It rates 7 on the Mohs scale. Quartz is Mohs 7 and very durable. Dust with a soft brush or rinse in lukewarm water and air dry. Avoid knocking points together and avoid sudden temperature changes.
Is this the exact piece I will receive?
Yes. This listing was photographed individually, and you receive the exact piece shown in the photos.
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