mineral
Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, white to clear color, 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, white to clear color, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal system, and conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Forms in wide-ranging geological environments including igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks through precipitation from silica-rich solutions or crystallization from magma.
Uses & applications
Widely used in electronics, glassmaking, construction aggregates, and as a popular ornamental gemstone.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant and durable minerals in Earth's continental crust, highly resistant to both chemical and mechanical weathering.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its high hardness (scratches glass) and lack of cleavage; found globally in veins, pegmatites, and river gravels.
