mineral
Quartz (Raw Specimen)
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale; Color ranges from white to off-white, yellowish, or colorless; Vitreous to dull luster; Trigonal crystal system; Conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity of 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale; Color ranges from white to off-white, yellowish, or colorless; Vitreous to dull luster; Trigonal crystal system; Conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity of 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Forms in a wide variety of geological environments, commonly in hydrothermal veins, pegmatites, and as a primary constituent of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks.
Uses & applications
Used in electronics, glassware, precision instruments, gemstones, and decorative items.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals found in the Earth's continental crust and exhibits piezoelectric properties, meaning it can generate an electrical charge under mechanical stress.
Field identification & locations
Easily identifiable by its high hardness (scratches glass) and conchoidal fracture. Found worldwide in nearly every type of geological terrain.
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