mineral
Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. Varies in color from clear to brown or gray with a vitreous luster and trigonal crystal system.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. Varies in color from clear to brown or gray with a vitreous luster and trigonal crystal system.
Formation & geological history
Forms in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments through cooling magmas or precipitation from silica-rich solutions.
Uses & applications
Widely used in electronics, glassmaking, abrasives, and as a popular gemstone or collector specimen.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals on Earth's continental crust and exhibits piezoelectric properties.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its high hardness, lack of cleavage, and conchoidal fracture. Found globally in almost all geological settings.
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mineral