environmental benefits and effects of quartz
Quartz is one of the most common minerals in the Earth's continental crust. It has a hexagonal crystal structure made of trigonal crystallized silica (silicon dioxide, SiO2), with a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. Density is 2.65 g/cm?. The typical shape is a six-sided prism that ends in six-sided pyramids, although these are often twinned, distorted, or so massive that only part of the shape is apparent from a mined specimen. Additionally a bed is a common form, particularly for varieties such as amethyst, where the crystals grow up from a matrix and thus only one termination pyramid is present. A quartz geode consists of a hollow rock (usually with an approximately spherical shape) with a core lined with a bed of crystals.
Being a chemist, I know I don't belong in this forum, but here is an answer in Chemist's point of view: Quartz = Silicon Dioxide. Pure quartz are clear hexagonal crystals, but there are many other types of quarts with other chemical impurities mixed in the SiO2. The impurities give SiO2 different colors and many of these colored quartz have been considered to be lesser gems throughout history. Some examples of well known SiO2 based gems are Agate, Citrine, Onyx, Amethyst, Rose quartz etc. SiO2, much like Carbons atoms in a Diamond have network covalent arrangement. This means that the the SiO2 as a solid has relatively high hardness in Mohs scale. Quartz has a Mohs scale of 7, which is almost as strong as hardened steel. This is why many watch makers use pure quartz over glass in their high-end watches to encase the front. (Dont get this confused with Quartz movement of a watch. That is totally different subject).
Quartz is the most common mineral on the face of the Earth.
Quartz is one of the most common minerals in the Earth's continental crust. It has a hexagonal crystal structure made of trigonal crystallized silica (silicon dioxide, SiO2), with a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. Density is 2.65 g/cm?. The typical shape is a six-sided prism that ends in six-sided pyramids, although these are often twinned, distorted, or so massive that only part of the shape is apparent from a mined specimen. Additionally a bed is a common form, particularly for varieties such as amethyst, where the crystals grow up from a matrix and thus only one termination pyramid is present. A quartz geode consists of a hollow rock (usually with an approximately spherical shape) with a core lined with a bed of crystals.
