mineral
Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal system, and white to pale pink color with conchoidal fracture.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal system, and white to pale pink color with conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments through the crystallization of silica-rich solutions and magmas over geological timescales.
Uses & applications
Widely used in electronics, oscillators, glassmaking, abrasives, and as a popular ornamental gemstone or tumbled decorative stone.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust and exhibits strong piezoelectric properties, generating electricity under mechanical stress.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its high hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and distinct conchoidal fracture; found globally in nearly all geological settings.
