Shocked quartz consists of quartz grains that have been subjected to high-pressure shock waves from meteoritic impacts. Under a microscope, it exhibits characteristic planar deformation features (PDFs) that distinguish it from ordinary quartz. It is primarily found in ejecta blankets and impact melt rocks at identified terrestrial impact craters.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareQuartz family

Shocked Quartz

Hardness: 7
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this shocked quartz?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch shocked quartz with a known reference. Shocked Quartz sits at Mohs 7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Shocked Quartz leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Shocked Quartz typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: clear, white, gray, brown.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: massive.

Often confused with

Shocked Quartz vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Shocked Quartz and waxy on Chalcedony.

Often found alongside shocked quartz

Minerals reported to co-occur with shocked quartz. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: SiO₂
Mohs hardness: 7
Density: 2.65 g/cm³
Colors: Clear White Gray Brown
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Massive
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Impact Breccia
Typical price: $20-200 depending on specimen size and provenance

Where rockhounds find shocked quartz

Classic worldwide localities

Barringer Crater, USA
Ries Crater, Germany
Manicouagan Crater, Canada
Sudbury Basin, Canada

Field-hunting tip

Look in impact breccia country — that is the host setting where shocked quartz typically forms. If you start seeing coesite, stishovite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify shocked quartz?+

Mohs hardness is 7. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include clear, white, gray, brown.

Where is shocked quartz found?+

Notable localities include Barringer Crater, USA; Ries Crater, Germany; Manicouagan Crater, Canada; Sudbury Basin, Canada.

How much is shocked quartz worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $20-200 depending on specimen size and provenance. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like shocked quartz?+

Shocked Quartz is most often confused with Quartz, Chalcedony, Cristobalite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with shocked quartz?+

Shocked Quartz commonly co-occurs with Coesite, Stishovite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does shocked quartz form in?+

Shocked Quartz typically forms in impact breccia. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is shocked quartz used for?+

Shocked Quartz is used in collector.

Find shocked quartz on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.