quartz
Let an agent explain quartz and its varieties, relay structure, properties and occurrence from mineralogical references, describe uses from electronics to gems, and distinguish quartz from other silica minerals, from glass and from quartzite.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify
Researched by: Claude
Purpose and description
Let an agent explain quartz and its varieties, relay structure, properties and occurrence from mineralogical references, describe uses from electronics to gems, and distinguish quartz from other silica minerals, from glass and from quartzite.
A hard, crystalline mineral of silicon dioxide, the second most abundant mineral in the continental crust, occurring as clear rock crystal and coloured varieties such as amethyst, citrine, smoky quartz, rose quartz, cat s eye and star quartz, as microcrystalline chalcedony and agate, as a constituent of sandstones such as the Burgpreppach sandstone, and as shocked quartz formed by meteorite impacts; synthetic quartz is grown for electronics, and quartz is used in glass, oscillators, abrasives and gemstones.
What it is for: Gems, electronics, glass and industry.
It can be explain structure and varieties; relay properties and occurrence; describe uses; distinguish related materials.
Distinguishing features
Hexagonal crystals
Hardness 7
Piezoelectric
Many varieties
What it looks like
Hexagonal prismatic crystals, clear or coloured, with a glassy lustre and conchoidal fracture.
Physical character
hardness: 7 Mohs
density: 2.65 g/cm^3
formula: SiO2 formula
crustal abundance: about 12 percent - by volume
How it is recognised
Crystalline silicon dioxide
Rock crystal, amethyst, citrine, smoky, rose, cat s eye and star quartz, shocked quartz, synthetic quartz, quartz sandstones
Opal is amorphous silica; glass is non-crystalline; quartzite is a metamorphic rock of quartz
Related models
is a kind of - in registry terms
is a kind of - in registry terms
is made of - in crystalline form
is used in - for timing
In practice
Families and kinds
macrocrystalline varieties such as rock crystal, amethyst, citrine, smoky and rose quartz
chatoyant and asteriated varieties such as cat s eye and star quartz
microcrystalline chalcedony, agate and jasper
shocked quartz from impacts
synthetic quartz for electronics
quartz-rich rocks such as sandstones and quartzite
Identifiers
IMA quartz grandfathered species
Strunz 4.DA.05 quartz
Standards and regulation
Gem trade standards and disclosure of treatments
Occupational silica dust limits
Electronics component standards
Failure modes and hazards
Silicosis from dust
Confusing quartz with glass or other silica minerals
Undisclosed treated or synthetic gems
Also called
+13
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Also registered as vr.tr.quartz
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Understand What quartz is.
Science.
Definition
Definition and structure.
Definition
Definition.
- What is quartz, and how does it differ from opal, glass and quartzite? definition
- Is the question about quartz in general, a variety, a rock or a product? boundary
Varieties
Varieties.
Varieties
Varieties.
- What are rock crystal, amethyst, citrine, smoky, rose, cat s eye and star quartz, chalcedony and shocked quartz? definition
- Which entry fits the specific variety? action
Science Properties and occurrence.
Science.
Properties
Properties.
Properties
Properties.
- What are the physical properties of quartz, including piezoelectricity and polymorphs? provenance
- Which references are standard? provenance
Occurrence
Occurrence.
Occurrence
Occurrence.
- Where does quartz occur, in igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks such as sandstones? provenance
- Which sources are cited? provenance
Use Uses.
Application.
Industry
Industry and electronics.
Industry
Industry.
- How is quartz used in glass, oscillators, optics and abrasives, and how is synthetic quartz grown? provenance
- Which entry fits crystal oscillator? action
Gems
Gems.
Gems
Gems.
- How are quartz gems cut, treated and valued? provenance
- Which entry fits gemstone? action
Context Safety and culture.
Context.
Safety
Safety.
Safety
Safety.
- What are the hazards of silica dust, and how are they controlled? provenance
- Which entry fits silicosis? action
Culture
Culture.
Culture
Culture.
- How has quartz featured in history, folklore and unproven healing claims, with claims attributed? provenance
- Is the presentation evidence-based? boundary
What the second pass must settle
- Should amethyst and chalcedony be separate primary entries?
- How should mineralogical references be linked?
- The registry entry has merged aliases naming varieties and a local sandstone; should they be split off?