mineral
Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and no cleavage. Colors vary widely due to impurities.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and no cleavage. Colors vary widely due to impurities.
Formation & geological history
Formed in a wide range of geological environments, commonly crystallizing from hydrothermal veins and magmatic pegmatites.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in electronics, glassmaking, precision instruments, and as a gemstone or decorative specimen.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in Earth's continental crust and exhibits strong piezoelectric properties.
Field identification & locations
Identified easily by its high hardness, inability to be scratched by steel, and characteristic hexagonal crystal habit.
