Quartz
Image: Deidre Woollard (CC BY 2.0)
Mineral NameQuartz
Chemical FormulaSiO2
Mohs Hardness7
Crystal Systemtrigonal
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavagenone
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity2.65
Colorscolorless, white, purple, pink, yellow, brown, black
Transparencytransparent
Type LocalityWorldwide (e.g., Brazil, Arkansas, Alps)
Mineral GroupSilicates
Usesjewelry, industrial, electronic components, abrasives, collector
Associated Mineralsfeldspar, mica, pyrite, calcite
Raritycommon
Description
The image displays a sample of quartz, a common silicate mineral, typically forming hexagonal prisms and exhibiting a vitreous luster. The specific sample shown is a brownish, translucent variety, illustrating its diverse color range.
Geological Context
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in Earth's crust, found in igneous rocks like granite, metamorphic rocks like gneiss and schist, and sedimentary rocks like sandstone. It crystallizes from magma, hydrothermal solutions, and precipitates in sedimentary basins.
