What is Quartz?

Quartz is a very common and well-known mineral. It is the most abundant mineral discovered on Earth. It has a chemical formula of SiO2. It is also a silicate mineral, which means it is made up of a combination of silicon and oxygen.

Properties of Quartz

Color

• translucent
• Quartz comes in a variety of colors
• Most Quartz are clear, white, or gray

Streak

• colorless

Luster

• vitreous (glass-like)

Mohs Hardness Scale

• 7

 

Varieties of Quartz

There are many different varieties of quartz, and they all come in different colors and crystal structures. Quartz is classified in three different groups: macrocrystalline quartz, microcrystalline quartz, and cryptocrystalline quartz.

Macrocrystalline quartz are varieties of quartz with large crystals that are visible to the naked eye. These varieties include amethyst, ametrine, aventurine, blue quartz, citrine, eisenkiesel, rose quartz, milky quartz, praze, pink quartz, tiger’s eye, hawk’s eye, and cat’s eye.

Microcrystalline and cryptocrystalline quartz are put into one whole group. These are varieties of quartz tiny crystal grains that are visible in a microscope. These varieties include agate, flint, plasma, onyx, sard, carnelian, heliotrope, jasper, chalcedony, chrysoprase, and chert.

How it is Used

Quartz can be found grinded into sand. This sand is used to make types of glass.

Quartz can also be polished and used as gemstones.