mineral
Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and hexagonal crystal system with colors ranging from clear to pink, white, or red-stained.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and hexagonal crystal system with colors ranging from clear to pink, white, or red-stained.
Formation & geological history
Forms primarily from cooling magma in igneous environments, precipitation in hydrothermal veins, and crystallization in metamorphic rocks.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in electronics, glassmaking, abrasives, and as ornamental gemstones in jewelry.
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 high hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and conchoidal fracture, commonly found worldwide in pegmatites and sandstones.
