mineral

Clear quartz pebble or glass-like quartz specimen

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Identified August 13, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Colorless and transparent with a vitreous luster; likely hardness ~7 Mohs, trigonal crystal structure, no cleavage, and conchoidal fracture. The smoothly rounded shape suggests tumbling or water erosion; internal bubbles or perfectly rounded contours could instead indicate glass, which cannot be confirmed from the image.

Formation & geological history

Natural quartz crystallizes from silica-rich igneous, hydrothermal, or metamorphic fluids over geologic time, commonly from Precambrian to modern settings. Rounded pieces may come from stream deposits or commercial tumbling.

Uses & applications

Used for ornament, mineral collections, crystal décor, and occasionally jewelry; quartz is also important industrially in glass, electronics, and abrasives.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is piezoelectric. A scratch test against ordinary steel or glass can help distinguish it from softer materials, but avoid damaging a potentially valuable specimen.

Field identification & locations

Common localities include Brazil, Madagascar, Arkansas, the Alps, and many gravel deposits worldwide. If it feels unusually light and contains spherical bubbles, it may be manufactured glass rather than quartz.