mineral
Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and typically white or colorless with hexagonal crystal system.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and typically white or colorless with hexagonal crystal system.
Formation & geological history
Forms in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments through the cooling of magma or precipitation from silica-rich hydrothermal solutions.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in electronics, glassmaking, abrasives, and as a gemstone or ornamental carving material.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust and exhibits piezoelectric properties, making it essential for clocks.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and conchoidal fracture; commonly found worldwide in veins and pegmatites.
