mineral
Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous to greasy luster, conchoidal fracture, and hexagonal crystal system. Color varies widely from colorless to white, yellow, pink, or purple due to impurities.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous to greasy luster, conchoidal fracture, and hexagonal crystal system. Color varies widely from colorless to white, yellow, pink, or purple due to impurities.
Formation & geological history
Forms in virtually all geological environments, including igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, often crystallizing from silica-rich hydrothermal veins and pegmatites.
Uses & applications
Widely used in electronics, glassware, precision instruments, and gemstone jewelry or lapidary arts.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust and exhibits piezoelectric properties, meaning it generates an electrical charge under mechanical stress.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its high hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and conchoidal fracture. Found worldwide on every continent.
