mineral
Quartz (Citrine or Iron-Stained)
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Yellowish-brown to tan, Luster: Vitreous (glassy), Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal), Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.65
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Yellowish-brown to tan, Luster: Vitreous (glassy), Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal), Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Forms through the crystallization of silica-rich magma or precipitation from hydrothermal fluids. The yellow-brown staining is often due to iron oxide impurities or natural irradiation.
Uses & applications
Used in glass making, abrasive manufacturing, electronics (due to piezoelectric properties), and as a gemstone (Citrine) in jewelry.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in the Earth's continental crust. It is extremely resistant to chemical weathering and is the main component of most beach sands.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its inability to be scratched by steel, its glassy luster, and the lack of cleavage planes. Found globally in almost all geological environments.
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