mineral
Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, color ranges from clear/white to various shades depending on impurities, vitreous (glassy) luster, hexagonal 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 clear/white to various shades depending on impurities, vitreous (glassy) luster, hexagonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage, specific gravity of 2.65
Formation & geological history
Forms in virtually all geological environments - igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. Often crystallizes from silica-rich hydrothermal veins and pegmatites.
Uses & applications
Used in electronics, watches, glassmaking, abrasives, and as gemstones or ornamental mineral specimens.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust, surpassed only by feldspar. It exhibits piezoelectric properties, meaning it can generate an electrical charge under mechanical stress.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its hardness (scratches glass easily), lack of cleavage, and conchoidal fracture. Found worldwide in almost every type of geological terrain.
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Schist
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Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase)
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