Geology and Minerals

Cristobalite

Cristobalite ( krist-OH-bə-lyte) is a mineral polymorph of silica that is formed at very high temperatures. It has the same chemical formula as quartz, SiO2, but a distinct crystal structure. Both quartz and cristobalite are polymorphs with all the members of the quartz group, which also include coesite, tridymite and stishovite. It is named after Cerro San Cristóbal in Pachuca Municipality, Hidalgo, Mexico. It is used in dentistry as a component of alginate impression materials as well as for making models of teeth.

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See also

• ▸Guayana natural region
• ▸Cuneiform
• ▸Archean felsic volcanic rocks

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