Rock Identifier
Quartz (Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)) — mineral
mineral

Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, white to colorless color, 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, white to colorless color, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal system, and conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage.

Formation & geological history

Forms in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments through the crystallization of silica-rich fluids or cooling magma.

Uses & applications

Widely used in electronics, glassmaking, abrasives, and ornamental jewelry or crystal collecting.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in Earth's continental crust and exhibits piezoelectric properties.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified by its high hardness (scratches glass) and lack of cleavage; found globally in nearly all geological settings.