mineral
Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and hexagonal crystal system. Color ranges from colorless and white to various shades of pink, yellow, and grey.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and hexagonal crystal system. Color ranges from colorless and white to various shades of pink, yellow, and grey.
Formation & geological history
Forms in wide varieties of geological environments, including igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, often crystallizing from silica-rich hydrothermal solutions.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in electronics, glassmaking, abrasives, and as a popular gemstone or ornamental specimen.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's continental crust and exhibits strong piezoelectric properties.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its hardness (scratches glass) and lack of cleavage. Common worldwide, including pegmatites and quartz veins.
