mineral

Clear quartz crystal

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Colorless and transparent with vitreous luster; Mohs hardness 7, no cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and hexagonal crystal structure. The small specimen appears as a rough, possibly fragmented crystal in a plastic container.

Identified August 22, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids, pegmatites, and igneous or metamorphic environments over varied geological ages. Its exact locality and age cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Common quartz is used in glass, ceramics, abrasives, electronics, and optical instruments; clear crystals are collected and sometimes cut as gemstones. This tiny specimen has minimal commercial value.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and commonly forms six-sided prisms terminated by pyramids. It exhibits piezoelectricity, producing an electrical charge when mechanically stressed.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its glassy appearance, hardness sufficient to scratch ordinary glass, lack of cleavage, and conchoidal fracture; avoid confusing it with man-made glass. Common localities include Brazil, Madagascar, the United States, and the Alps.