mineral
Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and typically colorless or white.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and typically colorless or white.
Formation & geological history
Formed in a wide variety of geological environments, frequently crystallizing from hydrothermal veins and silica-rich magmas.
Uses & applications
Widely used in electronics, glassmaking, abrasives, and as ornamental gemstones in jewelry.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust and exhibits strong piezoelectric properties.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its high hardness, lack of cleavage, and characteristic hexagonal crystal prisms when well-formed.
