Quartz

Quartz is a very popular gemstone composed of silicon dioxide. ^[1]

Quartz: Quick Facts and Characteristics

Some quick facts for Quartz:

• Transparency: Quartz can be opaque, translucent or transparent.
• Crystallography: In terms of crystallography, quartz can be hexagonal or trigonal.
• Luster: In terms of luster, quartz can be greasy, vitreous (glassy) or waxy.
• Streak: Quartz streaks white.
• Hardness: Quartz's hardness is 7 on the Moh's scale.
• Specific Gravity: Quartz's specific gravity ranges from 2.651 to 2.91.

Quartz: Background and Summary

Quartz is a mineral that is composed of silicon and oxygen atoms arranged in a continuous framework of SiO4 silicon-oxygen tetrahedra. It is one of the most abundant minerals found in the Earth's crust. Quartz can be found in a variety of colors such as white, pink, purple, brown, gray, and black. It is also known for its unique crystal structure, which is hexagonal in shape, and its hardness, which is 7 on the Mohs scale.

To identify quartz, one can look for its unique crystal structure and its hardness. Quartz crystals are hexagonal in shape and have six sides that are equal in length. They also have a pointed tip and a flat bottom. Quartz can be found in various forms such as clusters, points, and geodes. Its hardness can be tested by scratching it with a steel file, which should leave a mark on the file but not on the quartz.

Quartz has many uses in various industries such as electronics, construction, and jewelry making. It is used in electronics as a component in the manufacturing of computer chips, sensors, and transistors. In construction, quartz is used as a building material for countertops, flooring, and walls. In jewelry making, quartz is used as a gemstone in various forms such as amethyst, citrine, and smoky quartz.