White Quartz
Quartz (Silicon Dioxide) · Semi-Precious Gemstone and Mineral Specimen
Crystal System
Trigonal, commonly found in massive, tumbled, or amorphous-appearing tumbled shapes.
Mineral Group
Silicates (Tectosilicates)
Chemical Formula
SiO2
Formation Process
Igneous, metamorphic, and hydrothermal processes; frequently found in pegmatites, hydrothermal veins, and sedimentary deposits.
About This Crystal
The specimen is a small, tumbled, opaque to translucent white stone with a smooth, polished surface, characteristic of processed quartz or milky quartz.
Physical Characteristics
Color is milky white; white streak; no cleavage; conchoidal fracture; specific gravity around 2.65; brittle tenacity; exhibits vitreous to waxy luster when polished.
Optical Properties
Singly or doubly refractive depending on internal structure (uniaxial positive), refractive index around 1.544 to 1.553, no significant pleochroism in white varieties.
Hardness & Durability
Origin Region
Worldwide distribution, with major commercial sources in Brazil, Madagascar, the United States, and India.
Hardness & Durability
Mohs hardness of 7, making it durable and resistant to scratching, suitable for general jewelry use with good stability against chemicals and heat.
Care & Maintenance
Can be easily cleaned with warm soapy water and a soft brush; avoid harsh acids like hydrofluoric acid; safe from fading in sunlight.
Rarity & Value
Very common and inexpensive, widely available worldwide as tumbled stones, raw minerals, and carved items.
Special Characteristics
May exhibit piezoelectric properties under mechanical stress and faint luminescence under certain conditions, though primarily valued here as a standard tumbled white mineral.
Lore & History
Often regarded in modern crystal healing as a stone for clarity, purification, and amplification of energy, traditionally associated with the crown chakra, though these remain non-scientific beliefs.