mineral
Quartz (Common Quartz/Citrine-toned)
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale yellow to off-white; Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture)
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pale yellow to off-white
- Luster
- Vitreous (glassy) to greasy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale yellow to off-white; Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture)
Formation & geological history
Formed through the cooling of silica-rich magma or from hydrothermal veins. Often found in various geological environments including igneous intrusions and sedimentary deposits.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in the glass industry, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, and as a popular gemstone or healing crystal in the metaphysical community.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Its name comes from the German word 'Quarz', which has Slavic origins meaning 'hard'.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified by its inability to be scratched by a steel knife (hardness of 7) and its lack of cleavage. Often found as rounded pebbles in riverbeds or as sharp shards in rocky outcrops.
