Quartz
is a chemical compound consisting of one part silicon
and two parts oxygen. It is silicon dioxide
(SiO2).
It is the most abundant
mineral
found at Earth’s surface, and its unique properties
make it
one of the most useful natural substances.
Physical Properties of Quartz
Chemical Classification
Silicate
Color
Quartz occurs in virtually every color. Common
colors are clear, white, gray, purple, yellow,
brown, black, pink, green, red.
Streak
Colorless (harder than the streak plate)
Luster
Vitreous
Diaphaneityk
Transparent to translucent
Cleavage
None - typically breaks with a conchoidal
fracture