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 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 conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the cooling and precipitation of silica-rich hydrothermal fluids in pegmatites, veins, and cavities.
Uses & applications
Used in electronics, oscillators, glassware, abrasives, and as a popular gemstone or collector specimen.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust and exhibits piezoelectric properties, generating an electric charge under mechanical stress.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its characteristic hexagonal prismatic shape, high hardness, and lack of cleavage; found globally in nearly all geological environments.
