mineral
Quartz
SiO2 (Silicon Dioxide)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal system, no cleavage, conchoidal fracture. Often appears clear, milky, or colored by impurities.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal system, no cleavage, conchoidal fracture. Often appears clear, milky, or colored by impurities.
Formation & geological history
Forms in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, crystallizing from silica-rich magma or precipitating from hydrothermal solutions.
Uses & applications
Widely used in glassmaking, electronics, optics, abrasives, and as a popular gemstone or collector's mineral.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Its piezoelectric properties make it essential in clocks and radios.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and conchoidal fracture. Extremely common worldwide.
