mineral
Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, transparent to translucent with a vitreous luster, and crystallizes in the trigonal system with no true cleavage.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, transparent to translucent with a vitreous luster, and crystallizes in the trigonal system with no true cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Forms primarily from cooling magma in igneous rocks, hydrothermal veins, and metamorphic processes, spanning billions of years of geological history.
Uses & applications
Widely used in electronics, glassmaking, precision instruments, and as a popular gemstone or decorative specimen.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust and exhibits strong piezoelectric properties.
Field identification & locations
Identified easily by its hexagonal crystal habit, high hardness that scratches glass, and conchoidal fracture; found globally in almost all geological environments.
