mineral
Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on Mohs scale, typically colorless or white, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture with no cleavage, specific gravity of 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on Mohs scale, typically colorless or white, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture with no cleavage, specific gravity of 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Forms in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments through the cooling of silica-rich magmas or precipitation from hydrothermal solutions over geological eras.
Uses & applications
Widely used in electronics for oscillators, glass manufacturing, abrasives, gemstones, and ornamental objects.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust and exhibits piezoelectric properties, generating an electric charge under mechanical stress.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its high hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and conchoidal fracture. Found worldwide in nearly all geological settings.
