mineral

Clear quartz crystal sphere

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 7 Mohs; transparent to translucent, colorless to faint smoky-brown, with vitreous luster and trigonal crystal structure. The spherical shape is human-polished, so natural cleavage and crystal faces are absent.

Identified August 11, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids and igneous melts; the sphere was cut and polished from quartz-bearing material. Quartz ranges from Archean to recent in age and occurs in veins, pegmatites, geodes, and sedimentary rocks.

Uses & applications

Used for lapidary spheres, ornaments, carvings, jewelry, glass, abrasives, electronics, and timekeeping oscillators.

Geological facts

Quartz is piezoelectric: mechanical stress produces an electrical charge. Similar clear spheres may be glass or synthetic quartz, so visual identification alone is uncertain.

Field identification & locations

Common localities include Brazil, Madagascar, Arkansas, the Swiss Alps, and China. Identify genuine quartz by its hardness, cool glassy feel, and lack of perfectly spherical bubbles; it should scratch ordinary glass but not be scratched by a steel blade.