mineral
Clear quartz crystal fragment
Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectColorless to translucent, glassy luster, Mohs hardness 7, trigonal crystal structure; commonly breaks with conchoidal fracture and has no cleavage. The small fragment’s exact identity cannot be confirmed from appearance alone.
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Physical properties
Colorless to translucent, glassy luster, Mohs hardness 7, trigonal crystal structure; commonly breaks with conchoidal fracture and has no cleavage. The small fragment’s exact identity cannot be confirmed from appearance alone.
Formation & geological history
Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich fluids or melts in many settings and occurs in rocks of all ages. This fragment’s geological source and age cannot be determined from the image.
Uses & applications
Quartz is widely used in glass, electronics, and abrasives; clear, well-formed crystals are also collected and used in jewelry.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and often forms six-sided crystals, though the pictured piece is too small and broken to show a diagnostic crystal habit.
Field identification & locations
Look for hardness sufficient to scratch glass, lack of cleavage, and a glassy fracture surface; common sources include veins, pegmatites, and geodes worldwide. A simple photo cannot rule out clear glass or another transparent mineral.
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