The free crystals occur in cretaceous clay exposures in Stearns County near the town of Kimball. The most common mineral found on the face of the Earth. It is found in nearly every geological environment and is a component of almost every rock type. Quartz is a transparent to translucent mineral, and it has a glassy to vitreous Luster on fresh surfaces. Distinguished from calcite by its hardness.
Fracture is conchoidal.
As a crystal it is widely used as gemstones or ornamental material. As sand, quartz is used in mortar and concrete, an abrasive, and in the manufacture of glass. Also known as lodestone . It belongs to the Oxide and Hydroxide Class of Minerals. This specimen exhibits a metallic to dull Luster .