Final answer:
Quartz is identified by its non-metallic luster and six-sided crystal form, with no cleavage and a conchoidal fracture pattern. It is composed of silicon dioxide, which appears in both crystalline and amorphous states, and is utilized in various applications including jewelry and technology.
Step-by-step explanation:
When identifying the characteristics of the mineral quartz, one should note that it typically possesses a non-metallic luster with a six-sided crystal form. Quartz may occur as irregular, glassy grains that are often clear to smoky, and it has no cleavage, which means it does not break along flat planes like some other minerals do. Instead, quartz fractures in a conchoidal manner, meaning it has smooth, curved surfaces when broken.
Silicon dioxide, also known as silica, is the chemical composition of quartz, which can be found in both crystalline and amorphous forms. The common crystalline form of silicon dioxide is quartz, a hard, brittle, and typically clear or colorless substance. Trace amounts of iron (Fe³⁺) can cause the color to vary, such as in the case of amethyst, which has its characteristic purple hue due to these impurities.
Quartz is commonly used in a variety of applications due to its durability and abundance. This includes architectural decorations, semiprecious jewelry, and in the technology industry for frequency control in radio transmitters. Additionally, amorphous silica is present in natural forms such as opal.