mineral
Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and trigonal crystal system with clear to brownish coloration.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and trigonal crystal system with clear to brownish coloration.
Formation & geological history
Forms in virtually all geological environments through the crystallization of silica-rich hydrothermal solutions and magmas.
Uses & applications
Widely used in electronics for oscillators, glass manufacturing, abrasives, and ornamental gemstone carvings.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust and exhibits piezoelectric properties.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its high hardness, lack of cleavage, and characteristic conchoidal fracture found globally in veins and pegmatites.
