mineral
Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and hexagonal crystal system.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and hexagonal crystal system.
Formation & geological history
Formed in a wide range of geological environments, commonly precipitating from hydrothermal solutions or crystallizing from silica-rich magma.
Uses & applications
Used in electronics, glassmaking, abrasives, and as decorative gemstone or collector specimens.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust and exhibits piezoelectric properties.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its high hardness, lack of cleavage, and characteristic conchoidal fracture; found worldwide in virtually all rock types.
