Quartz
Quartz is the most common of all minerals and is found in many different rocks and ore deposits. There are many varieties of quartz. Amethyst, citrine, aventurine, rose quartz and smoky quartz are part of the quartz family. Quartz crystals generates an electrical charge and is useful and most importantly used in the fields of radio, television, and radar. It is also used in making sandpaper and grindstones. Quartz sands are used in the manufacture of glass and mortar. Hardness: Hard (7) Glassy or waxy luster.
Some Important Facts About Quatrz
- It is made of silica.
- The chemical formula is SiO2 (silicon dioxide).
- It has a hexagonal crystal system.
- On the Mohs scale quartz has a hardness of 7
Quartz Mineral Properties
Chemical formula: Silicone dioxide SiO 2Color(s): colorless (rock crystal),white, yellow (citrine),brown (smoky quartz), black (morion),purple (amrthyst), pink (rose quartz), green (chrysoprase)
Streak: white
Luster: vitreous, glassy
Transparency: transparent to translucent
Crystal system: triagonal
Specific Gravity: 2.6
Hardness (Mohs): 7
Cleavage: none
Fracture: conchoidal
Uses: electronics, abrasives, making glass and mortar
Location: widespread occurance