mineral
Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, colorless to grey or purple, hexagonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, colorless to grey or purple, hexagonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Forms in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments through the crystallization of silica-rich fluids.
Uses & applications
Used in electronics, glassmaking, precision instruments, and as a gemstone or collector specimen.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant and widely distributed minerals found in the Earth's continental crust.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its high hardness, distinctive crystal form, and lack of cleavage; found globally in pegmatites and veins.
