mineral

Clear quartz crystal

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically colorless to translucent with a vitreous luster and hexagonal crystal structure; Mohs hardness 7, no true cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and specific gravity about 2.65. The specimen appears rough and naturally fractured, possibly a small quartz fragment rather than a complete crystal.

Identified August 31, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids, igneous melts, and metamorphic fluids; individual crystals may form over thousands to millions of years in cavities, veins, and pegmatites. Exact age and locality cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Used in glass, ceramics, electronics, abrasives, and engineered stone; clear crystals are collected and sometimes cut as gemstones.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is piezoelectric, producing an electrical charge under pressure.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its glassy appearance, hardness, lack of cleavage, and ability to scratch ordinary glass; common in quartz veins, granite, pegmatites, and metamorphic rocks worldwide. A hardness or acid test should be performed cautiously.