Specimen at a glance
| Mineral | Quartz |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | SiO2 |
| Mohs hardness | 7 |
| Crystal system | Trigonal |
| Form | Crystal point |
| You receive | The exact specimen pictured |
About this specimen
Clear quartz — sometimes called rock crystal — is the transparent, colorless form of quartz, formed when silicon dioxide crystallizes slowly and with few impurities, allowing light to pass through with minimal scattering. This point shows the classic hexagonal prism shape quartz is known for, terminating in a six-sided pyramid, with natural striations running along the crystal faces that record its stepwise growth.
Near the termination, this piece shows some natural included texture and minor surface etching rather than perfect optical clarity all the way through — a reminder that natural quartz almost always carries some trace of the environment it grew in, whether that’s a fluid inclusion, a bit of included matrix, or fine etch marks from later mineral-rich water passing over the crystal after it formed.
Quartz is a 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, so this piece holds up well to regular handling and display. Clean with a soft, damp cloth; avoid harsh chemicals, and take care with the termination point, which can chip if struck against a hard surface.
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.
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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