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Quartz

Formula:
SiO
 
2
System:TrigonalColour:Colorless, Purple, Rose, ...
Lustre:VitreousHardness:7
Name:From the German "Quarz", of uncertain origin.
Polymorph of:Coesite, Cristobalite, Tridymite


Quartz Group

Quartz is the most common mineral found on the surface of the Earth. A significant component of many igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks, this natural form of silicon dioxide is found in an impressive range of varieties and colours. There are many names for different varieties: Crypto-crystalline varieties of Quartz are listed separately under Chalcedony, and include the Agate family.

Classification of Quartz

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:4/D.01-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:4.DA.05

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
A : With small cations: Silica family
Dana 7th edition ID:75.1.3.1
Dana 8th edition ID:75.1.3.1

75 : TECTOSILICATES Si Tetrahedral Frameworks
1 : Si Tetrahedral Frameworks - SiO2 with [4] coordinated Si
Hey's CIM Ref.:7.8.1

7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
8 : Oxides of Si
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Occurrences of Quartz

Geological Setting:Most of them...

Physical Properties of Quartz

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Colour:Colorless, Purple, Rose, Black, Yellow, Brown, Green, Orange, etc.
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):7
Hardness Data:Mohs hardness reference species
Comment:Some variability by direction.
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Poor/Indistinct
The rhombohedral cleavage r{1011} is most often seen, there are at least six others reported.
Fracture:Conchoidal
Comment:Tough when massive
Density (measured):2.65 - 2.66 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.66 g/cm3

Crystallography of Quartz

Crystal System:Trigonal
Class (H-M):3 2 - Trapezohedral
Space Group:P31 2 1
Cell Parameters:a = 4.9133Å, c = 5.4053Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 1.1
Unit Cell Volume:V 113.00 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:3
Morphology:Typically long prismatic with steep pyramidal terminations, but may be short prismatic to nearly bipyramidal; fibrous (agate & chalcedony)
Twinning:Dauphine law.
Brazil law.
Japan law.
Others for beta-quartz...
Crystal Atlas:
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Quartz no.5 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Quartz no.7 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Quartz no.9 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Quartz no.10 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Quartz no.12 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Quartz no.23 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Quartz no.35 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Quartz no.46 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Quartz no.47 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Quartz no.96 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Quartz no.121 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)

About Crystal Atlas

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The mindat.org Crystal Atlas allows you to view a selection of crystal drawings of real and idealised crystal forms for this mineral and, in certain cases, 3d rotating crystal objects. You need Java to see these. You can download Java for free - click here to download Java

The 3d models and java code are kindly provided by www.smorf.nl. You can control the movement of the models by holding down the left mouse-button over the 3d model and moving your mouse. Keyboard controls are:

: default positions
t/T: decrease/increase transparency x/X: next/previous texture
b/B: next/previous background w: toggle wireframe
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Structure
  Reference
Kihara K (1990) An X-ray study of the temperature dependence of the quartz structure Sample: at T = 298 K. European Journal of Mineralogy 2:63-77.

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More Crystal Structures
Click here to view more crystal structures at the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Horizontal Axis: ° to ° Vertical Axis: % Source Data: Filtered Data: Peaks:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
4.257(20)
3.324(10)
2.457(10)
2.282(10)
2.127(10)
1.8179(10)
1.5418(10)

Optical Data of Quartz

Type:Uniaxial (+)
RI values: nω = 1.543 - 1.545 nε = 1.552 - 1.554
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.009

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Low

Chemical Properties of Quartz

Formula:
SiO
 
2
Essential elements:O, Si
All elements listed in formula:O, Si

Relationship of Quartz to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
4.DA.05Seifertite
SiO
 
2
4.DA.10Opal
SiO
 
2
·nH
 
2
O
4.DA.10Tridymite
SiO
 
2
4.DA.15Cristobalite
SiO
 
2
4.DA.20Mogánite
SiO
 
2
4.DA.25Melanophlogite
46SiO
 
2
·6(N
 
2
,CO
 
2
)·2(CH
 
4
,N
 
2
)
4.DA.30Lechatelierite
SiO
 
2
4.DA.35Coesite
SiO
 
2
4.DA.40Stishovite
SiO
 
2
4.DA.45Keatite
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
7.8.2Coesite
SiO
 
2
7.8.3Tridymite
SiO
 
2
7.8.4Stishovite
SiO
 
2
7.8.5Cristobalite
SiO
 
2
7.8.6Lechatelierite
SiO
 
2
7.8.7Silhydrite
3SiO
 
2
·H
 
2
O
7.8.8Opal
SiO
 
2
·nH
 
2
O
7.8.9Mogánite
SiO
 
2

Other Names for Quartz

Synonyms:
Alpha-Quartzα-QuartzAzetuliteAzeztuliteβ-Quartz (of Geophys. Lab)
Brazillian PebbleCactus QuartzConite (of Macculloch)KoniliteLemurian Seed Crystal
LodoliteLow QuartzMexican DiamondQuartz-αQuartz-alpha
Quertz
Arabic names:
مرو
Bulgarian names:
Кварц
Catalan names:
Quars
Czech names:
Křemen
Danish names:
Kvarts
Dutch names:
Kwarts
Esperanto names:
Kvarco
Estonian names:
Kvarts
Finnish names:
Kvartsi
German names:
QuarzKaktusquarzKammquarzKieselKonilit
Greek names:
Χαλαζίας
Hebrew names:
קוורץ
Hungarian names:
Kvarc
Indonesian names:
Kuarsa
Irish Gaelic names:
Grian Cloch
Italian names:
Quarzo
Japanese names:
水晶
Korean names:
석영
Macedonian names:
Кварц
Norwegian names:
Kvarts
Polish names:
Kwarc
Portuguese names:
Quartzo
Romanian names:
Cuarţ
Russian names:
Кварц
Serbian (Cyrillic Script) names:
Кварц
Slovak names:
Kremeň
Spanish names:
Cuarzo
Swedish names:
Kvarts
Traditional Chinese names:
石英
Turkish names:
Kuvars
Ukrainian names:
Кварц
Varieties:
AmethystAmetrineApricotineArkansas CandleAventurine
Babel-QuartzBasaniteBayateBlue QuartzBull Quartz
Cape May DiamondsCapped QuartzChertChrysojasperCitrine
CotteriteCreoliteCubic QuartzDallasiteDarlingite
Egyptian JasperEisenkieselEl DoradoiteFerruginous QuartzFlint
Hair AmethystHaytoriteHedgehog StoneHerkimer DiamondHerradura Diamonds
Jacinto de Compostela QuartzJasperLithium QuartzMilky QuartzOil Quartz
Owyhee JasperPastelitePrasePrase-malachiteQuetzalitztli
Riband JasperRibbonstoneRock CrystalRose QuartzRutilated Quartz
Sagenite (of Kunz)Sceptre QuartzSmoky QuartzStar QuartzTaconite
VogelaugenjaspisWilkite

Other Information

Electrical:pizeoelectric, pyroelectric, may be tribolumiscent.
Thermal Behaviour:Stable below 573 C.
Health Warning:Quartz is usually quite harmless unless broken or powdered. Broken crystals and masses may have razor-sharp edges that can easily cut skin and flesh. Handle with care. Do not grind dry since long-term exposure to finely ground powder may lead to silicosis.
Industrial Uses:Ore for silicon, glassmaking, frequency standards, optical instruments, silica source for concrete setting, filtering agents as sand. Major component of sand.

References for Quartz

Reference List:Frondel, Clifford (1962), Dana's System of Mineralogy, 7th Edition: Vol. III.

Reviews in Mineralogy vol 29 Silica: Physical behaviour, geochemistry and materials applications; P.J. Heany and G.V. Gibbs ed. Miineralogical Society of America, 1994, 606pp.

Kushiro, I. (1969), The system forsterite-diopside-silica with and without water at high pressures: American Journal of Science: 267: 269-294.

Rice, S.J. (1969) Quartz family minerals. California Division of Mines and Geology Mineral Information Service: 22: 35-38.

Feigl, F.J. and Anderson, J.H. (1970) Defects in crystalline quartz: electron paramagnetic resonance of E' vacancy centers associated with germanium impurities. Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids: 31: 575-596.

Sprunt, E.S. (1981) Causes of quartz cathodoluminescence colours. Scan. Elec. Micros.: 525-535.

Bohlen, S.R. and Boettcher, A.L. (1982) The quartz-coesite transformation: a precise determination and the effects of other components. Journal of Geophysical Research: 87(B8): 7073-7078.

Richet, P., Bottinga, Y., Deniélou, L., Petitet, J.P., and Téqui, C. (1982) Thermodynamic properties of quartz, cristobalite, and amorphous SiO2: drop calorimetry measurements between 1000 and 1800 K and a review from 0 to 2000 K. Geochimica et Cosmochmica Acta: 46: 2639-2658.

Serebrennikov, A.J., Valter, A.A., Mashkovtsev, R.I., and Scherbakova, M.Ya. (1982) The investigation of defects in shock-metamorphosed quartz. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals: 8: 155-157.

Scandale, E., Stasi, F., and Zarka, A. (1983) Growth defects in a Quartz Druse. ac Dislocations. Journal of Applied Crystallography: 16: 39-403.

Weil, J.A. (1984) A review of electron spin resonance and its applications to the study of paramagnetic defects in crystalline quartz. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals: 10: 149-165.

Scandale, E. and Stasi, F. (1985) Growth defects in Quartz Druses. a Pseudo-basal Dislocations. Journal of Applied Crystallography: 18: 275-278.

Graziani, G., Lucchesi, S., and Scandale, E. (1988) Growth defects and genetic medium of a quartz druse from Traversella, Italy. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Abhandlungen: 159: 165-179.

Owen, M.R. (1988) Radiation-damage haloes in quartz. Geology: 16: 529-532.

Ramseyer, K., Baumann, J., Matter, A., and Mullis, J. (1988) Cathodluminescence colours of α-quartz. Mineralogical Magazine: 52: 669-677.

Scandale, E., Stasi, F., Lucchesi, S., and Graziani, G. (1989) Growth marks and genetic conditions in a quartz druse. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Abhandlungen: 160: 181-192.

American Mineralogist (1991): 76: 1018.

Agrosì, G., Lattanzi, P., Ruggieri, G., and Scandale, E. (1992) Growth history of a quartz crystal from growth marks and fluid inclusions data. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Monatshefte: 7: 289-294.

Rink, W.J., Rendell, H., Marseglia, E.A., Luff, B.J., and Townsend, P.D. (1993) Thermoluminescence spectra of igneous quartz and hydrothermal vein quartz. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals: 20: 353-361.

Berti G.(1994): Microcrystalline properties of quartz by means of XRPD measures. Adv. X-Ray Analysis: 37: 359-366.

Onasch, C.M. and Vennemann, T.W. (1995) Disequilibrium partitioning of oxygen isotopes associated with sector zoning in quartz. Geology: 23: 1103-1106.

Ryckart, R. (1995), Quartz - Monographie.

Stevens Kalceff, M.A. and Phillips, M.R. (1995) Cathodoluminescence microcharacterization of the defect structure of quartz. Physics Review: B 52: 3122-3134.

Plötze, M. and Wolf, D. (1996) EPR- und TL-Spektren von Quartz: Bestrahlungsabhgigheit der [TiO4 -/Li +] 0-Zentren. Ber. Deutsch. Mineral. Gesellsch. 8: 217 (abstr.)

Gaines, Richard V., H. Catherine, W. Skinner, Eugene E. Foord, Brian Mason, Abraham Rosenzweig (1997), Dana's New Mineralogy : The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, 8th. edition: 1573.

Carpenter, M.A., Salje, E.K.H., Gaeme-Barber, A., Wruck, B., Dove, M.T., and Knight, K.S. (1998a), Calibration of excess thermodynamic properties and elastic constant variations associated with the α ↔ β phase transition in quartz. American Mineralogist: 83: 2-22.

Silica: Physical Behavior, Geochemistry and Materials Applications Vol 29. Mineralogical Society of America Reviews in Mineralogy, 606p.

Acta Crystallographica: B32: 2456-2459.

Götze, J., Plötze, M., Fuchs, H., and Habermann, D. (2001) Origin, spectral characteristics and practical applications of the cathodoluminescence (CL) of quartz - a review. Mineralogy and Petrology: 71: 225-250.

Botis, S., Nokhrin, S.M., Pan, Y., Xu, Y., and Bonli, T. (2005) Natural radiation-induced damage in quartz. I. Correlations between cathodoluminence colors and paramagnetic defects. Canadian Mineralogist: 43: 1565-1580.

Götze, J., Plötze, M., and Trautmann, T. (2005) Structure and luminescence characteristics of quartz from pegmatites. American Mineralogist: 90: 13-21.

Internet Links for Quartz

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  • Look for Quartz on Wikipedia
  • Look for Quartz on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Quartz in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Quartz details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
  • Mineral Dealers:
  • Find Quartz on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
  • Fabre Minerals - search for Quartz specimens
  • Wendel Minerals - Auktion & Shop
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    Localities for Quartz

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