gemstone
Faceted Clear Quartz (Rock Crystal)
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Mohs hardness: 7.0; Color: Clear/Colorless; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (faceted cut); Specific Gravity: 2.65
- Hardness
- 7
- Color
- Clear/Colorless
- Luster
- Vitreous
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Physical properties
Mohs hardness: 7.0; Color: Clear/Colorless; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (faceted cut); Specific Gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed in igneous pegmatites, hydrothermal veins, and metamorphic rocks. Most specimens are millions of years old, crystalline growth occurring as silica-rich water cools.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in jewelry as a gemstone, in crystal healing practices, as watch oscillators, and in the manufacturing of glass and ceramics.
Geological facts
Quartz is the most abundant and diverse mineral on Earth's surface. Transparent clear quartz has been used since antiquity for lenses and decorative objects known as 'rock crystal'.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (will scratch glass), lack of cleavage, and exceptional clarity. It is common worldwide, with major deposits in Brazil and Arkansas, USA.
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