mineral
Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal system, and conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal system, and conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Forms in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments through cooling magmas or precipitation from silica-rich solutions.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in electronics, glassmaking, precision instruments, and as a popular gemstone and mineral specimen.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust and exhibits piezoelectric properties.
Field identification & locations
Identified easily by its high hardness, lack of cleavage, and distinct hexagonal crystal habit when well-formed.
