Final answer:
Quartz is known for its conchoidal fracture, not cleavage, making it unique in terms of its breakage pattern, refractive qualities, and applications in jewelry and industry. It consists of a complex SiO4 tetrahedral structure, and upon melting and cooling, can form glassy silica with desirable properties for various applications.
Step-by-step explanation:
Quartz, a well-known mineral found abundantly in the Earth's crust, is renowned for its distinctive properties. Unlike some other minerals, quartz does not exhibit cleavage, which is the property of breaking along specific planes based on the crystal structure. Instead, quartz is known for its conchoidal fracture, which resembles the curved shape of a seashell and is characterized by smooth, curved surfaces when the mineral is broken.
Quartz has a chemical formula of SiO₂, and its structure consists of a three-dimensional network of SiO4 tetrahedra. This intricate arrangement does not allow for a preferred plane of breakage, which leads to the conchoidal fracture pattern. This fracturing property, combined with quartz's hardness, makes it suitable for various applications, including jewelry and as a component in the semiconductor electronics industry due to its capability of refracting light.
Adding to its industrial significance, upon melting at high temperatures (around 1600 °C), quartz forms a viscous liquid that, upon cooling, can become glassy silica without readily crystallizing. This glassy silica exhibits useful properties such as high transparency and resistance to rapid temperature changes. Such characteristics make quartz invaluable in different technological and industrial fields.