Quartz :-

second most common of all minerals, composed of

silicon dioxide, or silica, SiO2. It is distributed all over
the world as a constituent of rocks and in the form of
pure deposits. It is an essential constituent of igneous
rocks such as granite, rhyolite, and pegmatite, which
contain an excess of silica. In metamorphic rocks, it is
a major constituent of the various forms of gneiss and
schist; the metamorphic rock quartzite is composed
almost entirely of quartz. Quartz forms veins and
nodules in sedimentary rock, principally limestone.
Sandstone, a sedimentary rock, is composed mainly of
quartz. Many widespread veins of quartz deposited in
rock fissures form the matrix for many valuable
minerals. Precious metals, such as gold, are found in
sufficient quantity in quartz veins to warrant the
mining of quartz to recover the precious mineral.
Quartz is also the primary constituent of sand.

Properties : -
Quartz crystallizes in the rhombohedral system.
The size of the crystals varies from specimens weighing
a metric ton to minute particles that sparkle in rock
surfaces. Quartz is also common in massive forms,
which contain particles ranging in size from coarse-
grained to cryptocrystalline (grains invisible to the
naked eye but observable under a microscope). The
mineral has a hardness of 7 and specific gravity of
2.65. The luster in some specimens is vitreous; in
others it is greasy or splendent (shining glossily). Some
specimens are transparent; others are translucent. In
the pure form, the mineral is colorless, but it is
commonly colored by impurities.
Quartz crystals exhibit a property called the
piezoelectric effect, that is, they produce an electric
voltage when subjected to pressure along certain
directions of the crystal. Because of this property,
quartz crystal has important applications in the
electronics industry for controlling the frequency of
radio waves. It also has the optical property of
rotating the plane of polarized light and is used in
polarizing microscopes.
Quartz crystals undergo structural
transformations when heated. Ordinary, or low,
quartz, when heated to 573° C (1063.4° F), is
converted into high quartz, which has a different
crystal structure and different physical properties.
When cooled, however, high quartz reverts to low
quartz. Between 870° and 1470° C (1598° and 2678°
F), quartz exists in the form called tridymite, and
above 1470° C (2678° F), the stable form is known as
cristobalite. At about 1710° C (3078° F), the mineral
melts.

Varieties:-
The coarsely crystalline varieties of quartz are, in
general, transparent and lustrous. Rock crystal, a
colorless form of quartz, usually occurs in distinct
crystals. Rose quartz is coarsely crystalline but
without distinct crystal form and is colored rose red or
pink, the color often fading on exposure to light.
Smoky quartz, or cairngorm stone, occurs in crystals
ranging from smoky yellow to dark brown. Amethyst,
a semiprecious variety of quartz, is colored purple or
violet. Many other minerals form inclusions in
crystalline varieties of quartz. Rutilated quartz
contains fine needles of rutile that penetrate crystals
of colorless quartz. Aventurine is a variety of quartz
containing brilliant scales of hematite or mica. Liquids
and gases also occur as inclusions in quartz. Milky
quartz owes its milky-white color to the presence of
numerous minute liquid or gaseous inclusions.
The cryptocrystalline varieties of quartz are often
divided into two general classes, fibrous and granular.
The fibrous varieties, which include agate, carnelian,
heliotrope, onyx, and chrysoprase, are all forms of
chalcedony. The granular varieties include chert, flint,
jasper, and prase.

Uses :-
The different forms of chalcedony and many of
the crystalline varieties of quartz are used as
gemstones and other ornamental materials. Pure rock
crystal is used in optical and electronic equipment. In
the form of sand, quartz is used extensively in the
manufacture of glass and silica brick, and is also used
in cement and mortar. Ground quartz is used as an
abrasive in stonecutting, sandblasting, and glass
grinding. Powdered quartz is used in making
porcelain, scouring soaps, sandpaper, and wood fillers.
Large amounts of quartz are used as a flux in smelting
operations. Almost all natural high-grade quartz
crystal, which is an important raw material in the
electronics industry, is imported from Brazil, the only
country with large deposits of the mineral in
commercial quantities. Quartz crystals can also be
made synthetically. For additional information, see
articles on most of the minerals mentioned.