Quartz is an off-white crystalline mineral found inside Coral Domes near the starting area. It is one of the first minerals you can gather after leaving the Lifepod, and it feeds directly into Scanner and Glass crafting.
Where to Find
Coral Domes appear on the ocean floor near the starting Lifepod area. They are the primary Quartz source in the early game. Check nearby domes before heading into deeper biomes.
How to Recognize
- Structure: Orange, semi-circular dome on the seafloor
- Interior: Pearlescent shimmer on the inner walls
- Nodes: Small white crystal clusters on inner surfaces and ceilings
How to Collect
| Crystal Size | Method | Tool Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Small nodes | Pick up by hand | None |
| Medium crystals | Break or extract | Survival Multitool (may be required) |
Used In
| Recipe | Quartz Needed | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Scanner | 2 | First scanning tool for blueprint unlocks |
| Glass (refined) | — | 1 Glass is part of the Habitat Builder recipe |
Gathering Priority
Quartz is worth collecting as soon as you spot it near the starting area. You need 2 Quartz for the Scanner — your first scanning tool — making it a high early priority. After the Scanner is built, gather more Quartz to craft Glass for base-building recipes.
Next Action
Craft the Scanner at the Fabricator with 2 Quartz alongside Titanium and a Basic Battery. Then use the Scanner to find and scan Habitat Builder targets. After that, check the Habitat Builder recipe for the Glass requirement.