mineral
Quartz Crystal
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, transparent to translucent with a vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal system, and exhibits conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, transparent to translucent with a vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal system, and exhibits conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Formed from silicon and oxygen-rich hydrothermal solutions cooling within rock cavities and veins across diverse geological eras.
Uses & applications
Widely utilized in electronics, precision instruments, glassmaking, and decorative gemstone carving.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in Earth's continental crust and displays piezoelectric properties.
Field identification & locations
Identified easily by its characteristic hexagonal prism shape, high hardness that scratches glass, and lack of cleavage. Found globally in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks.
