mineral
Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, color ranges from colorless to white, gray, purple, pink, etc., vitreous (glassy) luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage, specific gravity of 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, color ranges from colorless to white, gray, purple, pink, etc., vitreous (glassy) luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage, specific gravity of 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Forms in virtually all environments (igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks) typically through crystallization from silica-rich hydrothermal solutions or magmas over geological timescales.
Uses & applications
Used widely in electronics, glassmaking, abrasives, gemstones, and ornamental objects.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust, following feldspar.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and glassy luster. Found worldwide in veins, pegmatites, and as a primary component of many rocks like granite and sandstone.
