mineral
Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. Color ranges from colorless to white, grey, or various shades depending on impurities. Vitreous luster and trigonal crystal system with conchoidal fracture.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. Color ranges from colorless to white, grey, or various shades depending on impurities. Vitreous luster and trigonal crystal system with conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Forms in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments through crystallization from silica-rich melts and hydrothermal fluids.
Uses & applications
Widely used in electronics, glassmaking, abrasives, and as a gemstone or ornamental mineral.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's continental crust and exhibits piezoelectric properties.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its high hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and conchoidal fracture. Found worldwide in nearly all geological settings.
