mineral
Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal system, and lack of cleavage with conchoidal fracture.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal system, and lack of cleavage with conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Forms in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments through the crystallization of silica-rich solutions and magmas.
Uses & applications
Widely used in electronics, oscillators, glassmaking, abrasive materials, 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 distinct hardness (scratches glass), crystal form, and lack of cleavage; found globally in nearly all geological settings.
