What Is Quartz

Quartz is a mineral composed of silicon dioxide (SiO₂). It is widely distributed in nature and has many characteristics and uses. The following is a detailed introduction to quartz:
Physical properties
Crystal structure and morphology: Generally speaking, quartz refers to low-temperature quartz (α-quartz). The crystal belongs to the trigonal system and is often produced in the form of hexagonal columns with pointed tops. The aggregates are in the form of crystalline and cryptocrystalline. Phanerocrystalline aggregates are usually granular, blocky and crystal clusters; cryptocrystalline aggregates are usually kidney-shaped, tumor-shaped, stalactite-shaped and multi-colored concentric bands.
Color: Pure quartz is colorless and transparent. It presents different colors due to trace coloring elements or finely dispersed inclusions, such as purple, smoky, brown, pink, blue, green, etc., which are respectively called amethyst, smoky quartz, citrine, rose quartz, etc.
Gloss and transparency: Glass luster, transparent to translucent, shell-shaped fracture with oily luster.
Hardness and density: Mohs hardness is 7 and density is 2.65g/cm³.
Other characteristics: piezoelectric, that is, when under pressure, electric charges will be generated at both ends of the crystal; the optical characteristics of quartz are uniaxial positive optics, and it also has cat's eye effect and starlight effect.
Chemical properties
Stable chemical properties, insoluble in any acid except hydrofluoric acid, slightly soluble in KOH solution.
Main production areas
Brazil, Madagascar, the United States, Switzerland, Bolivia, France, Germany, Colombia, India, Australia, Canada, Sri Lanka, Japan, China, Mexico, Peru, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Uruguay, Russia, Zambia, etc.
Uses
Industrial field: It is an important raw material for the manufacture of glass, ceramics, refractory materials, metallurgy, casting, chemical industry and other industries. It can be used to manufacture optical instruments, glasses, glass tubes, quartz crucibles, silicon bricks, silicon metal, ferrosilicon alloy, silicon aluminum alloy, fillers for sulfuric acid towers, amorphous silica powder, etc.
Electronic information field: Pure quartz single crystal is a good piezoelectric material, which can be used to make crystal oscillators, piezoelectric crystals, etc. It is an important source of standard frequency in electronic equipment and is widely used in communications, computers, consumer electronics and other fields.
Jewelry field: Crystal, amethyst, rose quartz, etc. can be processed into various accessories, such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, etc., and can also be used as raw materials for carving arts and crafts.