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Quartz, second most common of all minerals, is composed of silicon dioxide,
or silica, Silica, SiO2. and 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, hyalite and pegmatite, which contain an
excess of silica. Quartz is also the primary constituent of sand.
The size of the crystals varies from specimens
weighing a metric ton to minute particles that sparkle in rock surfaces. The
minerals has a hardness of 7 on Moh scale and specific gravity of 2.65. The
luster in some specimens is vitreous;
in others it is greasy or resplendent (shining glossily). Some specimens are
transparent, glassy, and glazy; others are translucent. In the pure form,
the minerals is colorless, but it is commonly colored by impurities. |
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