Quartz
Image: Seldonsan (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Mineral NameQuartz
Chemical FormulaSiO2
Mohs Hardness7
Crystal Systemtrigonal
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavagenone
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity2.65
Colorscolorless, white, purple, pink, yellow, brown, black, reddish-brown
Transparencytransparent
Type LocalityWorldwide (e.g., Brazil, Arkansas, Alps, Madagascar)
Mineral GroupSilicates
Usesjewelry, industrial, collector, oscillators
Associated Mineralsfeldspar, mica, pyrite, calcite
Raritycommon
Description
Quartz is a common mineral, often forming hexagonal prisms with pyramidal terminations. The display shows various forms including clear rock crystal, purple amethyst, yellowish citrine, and reddish hematoid quartz.
Geological Context
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's crust, found in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. It crystallizes from magma, hydrothermal solutions, and precipitates from water in a wide range of geological environments.
