mineral

Clear quartz (rock crystal)

Quartz, SiO₂; trigonal crystal system

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

A small, colorless-to-milky translucent crystal with a vitreous luster. Quartz has Mohs hardness 7, no cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and specific gravity about 2.65; the photo does not show enough detail to confirm crystal faces or distinguish it from another pale mineral.

Identified October 8, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz forms in many settings, including hydrothermal veins and pegmatites, and is also common in metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Its age cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Used in jewelry and as a collectible; industrial quartz is important in glass, abrasives, and electronics, though this small specimen is unlikely to have industrial value.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals. Clear quartz is often called rock crystal.

Field identification & locations

The appearance is consistent with rough clear quartz, but identification is provisional from the photograph. Quartz is plausible in the Antioquia region of Colombia; a scratch test on glass (quartz typically scratches it) can help, but may damage the specimen.