mineral
Quartz / Chalcedony
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, white to yellowish/brownish coloration with waxy to vitreous luster, cryptocrystalline or microcrystalline structure, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage, specific gravity of approximately 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, white to yellowish/brownish coloration with waxy to vitreous luster, cryptocrystalline or microcrystalline structure, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage, specific gravity of approximately 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the deposition of silica-rich groundwater solutions in cavities, fractures, or sedimentary environments, often occurring over millions of years in various geological settings.
Uses & applications
Commonly used in lapidary arts, tumbled stones, wire-wrapped jewelry, decorative items, and mineral collecting.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals on Earth's continental crust and is the parent material for many well-known gemstones such as agate, jasper, and onyx.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified by its hardness (scratches glass), waxy luster, and lack of cleavage. Found worldwide in stream beds, gravel deposits, and hydrothermal veins.
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