mineral
Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, variable colors, vitreous luster, trigonal crystal system, and no cleavage.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, variable colors, vitreous luster, trigonal crystal system, and no cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Forms in diverse geological environments including igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks through hydrothermal processes or crystallization from magma.
Uses & applications
Widely used in electronics, glassmaking, precision instruments, and as gemstones or mineral collector specimens.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust and exhibits piezoelectric properties.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its high hardness, conchoidal fracture, and lack of cleavage; found globally in almost all rock types.
