quartz

(noun)

The most abundant mineral on the earth's surface. Its chemical composition is silicon dioxide, SiO2. It occurs in a variety of forms, both crystalline and amorphous. It is found in every environment.

Related Terms

Examples of quartz in the following topics:

  • Properties of Quartz and Glass

    • Quartz crystals have piezoelectric properties.
    • Pure quartz, traditionally called rock crystal (sometimes called clear quartz), is colorless and transparent or translucent.
    • Common colored varieties include citrine, rose quartz , amethyst, smoky quartz, and milky quartz.
    • Other opaque gemstone varieties of quartz—or mixed rocks including quartz—often include contrasting bands or patterns of color.
    • This diagram shows the crystal structure of quartz.

  • Measuring Radiation Exposure

    • There are a number of types of wearable dosimeters: quartz fiber, film badge, thermoluminescent, and solid state.

  • Extractive Metallurgy

    • High-grade gold ore from a quartz vein near Alma, Colorado.
    • The appearance is typical of very good gold-quartz ore.

  • Silicate Units, Silicate Chains, Silicate Sheets

    • Examples of such minerals include quartz, zeolites, and feldspars.

  • Occurrence of Metals