mineral
Clear quartz sphere
Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂), likely rock crystal or low-grade milky quartz
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 7 Mohs; colorless to translucent, glassy luster, hexagonal crystal structure, indistinct cleavage, conchoidal fracture, specific gravity about 2.65. The perfectly rounded form is polished or carved rather than natural.
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Physical properties
Hardness 7 Mohs; colorless to translucent, glassy luster, hexagonal crystal structure, indistinct cleavage, conchoidal fracture, specific gravity about 2.65. The perfectly rounded form is polished or carved rather than natural.
Formation & geological history
Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids, pegmatites, and igneous rocks throughout geological time; this specimen’s age cannot be determined from the image. It may have been shaped from quartz vein material or a synthetic/low-clarity quartz blank.
Uses & applications
Used for decorative spheres, ornaments, lapidary pieces, countertops, glass, electronics, and oscillator components; clear, inclusion-free quartz can be used as a gemstone.
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, cool feel, hardness, and lack of bubbles or flow lines; it should scratch ordinary glass but not be scratched by a steel knife. Common sources include Brazil, Madagascar, the United States, and China.
