mineral
Quartz Crystal Fragment
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Clear/Colorless, Luster: Vitreous (glassy), Crystal system: Trigonal/Hexagonal, Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.65
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Clear/Colorless, Luster: Vitreous (glassy), Crystal system: Trigonal/Hexagonal, Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Found in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. Formed through crystallization from molten magma or precipitation from hydrothermal fluids. Commonly found in pegmatites and hydrothermal veins.
Uses & applications
Used in electronics (as oscillators), glassmaking, abrasives, jewelry (as semi-precious stones), and widely collected by mineral enthusiasts.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is piezoelectric, meaning it generates an electric charge when mechanical pressure is applied.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its hardness (cannot be scratched by steel), glassy luster, and shell-like (conchoidal) fracture pattern. Found globally in almost every geological environment.
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