mineral
Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness 7 on Mohs scale, white to milky appearance, vitreous to dull luster, trigonal crystal structure, conchoidal fracture.
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Physical properties
Hardness 7 on Mohs scale, white to milky appearance, vitreous to dull luster, trigonal crystal structure, conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Forms in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments through hydrothermal fluids or crystallization of magma.
Uses & applications
Used widely in lapidary, electronics (piezoelectric applications), glassmaking, and as a popular mineral collection piece.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals on Earth's continental crust and comes in various color varieties due to impurities.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of distinct cleavage, and characteristic crystalline or microcrystalline structure.
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Mineral
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Mineral/Rock