mineral
Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and hexagonal crystal system.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and hexagonal crystal system.
Formation & geological history
Forms in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments through the cooling of magma or precipitation from silica-rich solutions.
Uses & applications
Widely used in electronics, glassmaking, abrasives, and as a gemstone or specimen in jewelry.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's continental crust and exhibits piezoelectric properties.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its high hardness (scratches glass) and lack of cleavage; found globally in veins, pegmatites, and sands.
