mineral
Quartz
Silicon dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and typically colorless or white with occasional impurities.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and typically colorless or white with occasional impurities.
Formation & geological history
Forms in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments through the crystallization of silica-rich solutions or magmas over geological timescales.
Uses & applications
Widely used in electronics, glassmaking, abrasives, and as gemstones or decorative mineral specimens.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's continental crust and exhibits piezoelectric properties.
Field identification & locations
Identified easily by its distinct hardness, lack of cleavage, and hexagonal crystal habit when well-formed; found globally.
