mineral
Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: White to milky-white, sometimes with transparent areas or brownish iron staining. Luster: Vitreous to greasy. Crystal Structure: Trigonal. Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific Gravity: 2.65.
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: White to milky-white, sometimes with transparent areas or brownish iron staining. Luster: Vitreous to greasy. Crystal Structure: Trigonal. Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific Gravity: 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Forms in a wide variety of geological environments, most commonly in igneous rocks like granite and pegmatites, as well as hydrothermal veins and sedimentary deposits.
Uses & applications
Used in glassmaking, electronics, oscillators, abrasives, gemstones, and ornamental objects.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in Earth's continental crust. It exhibits piezoelectric properties, meaning it can generate an electrical charge in response to mechanical stress.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and conchoidal fracture. Found worldwide in almost every geological setting.
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Gneiss or Schist
Gneiss or Mica Schist with Garnet
Metamorphic
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Tumbled granite
Granite, a coarse-grained felsic intrusive igneous rock
igneous
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic
Pegmatite with Tourmaline and Quartz
Igneous Pegmatite
igneous
Granite
Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)
igneous