mineral

Likely quartz crystal fragment

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Small, pale-clear to milky specimen with a vitreous luster and apparent crystal faces; quartz has Mohs hardness 7, no cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and a trigonal crystal structure. The image is slightly ambiguous, so calcite is a secondary possibility if it scratches easily.

Identified August 13, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids, pegmatites, and cavities in igneous or metamorphic rocks. Individual crystals range from recent growth to billions of years old.

Uses & applications

Used in glass, ceramics, electronics, abrasives, and scientific instruments; attractive crystals are collected and occasionally used in jewelry.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and commonly forms six-sided prismatic crystals, though this appears to be a small broken or cut fragment.

Field identification & locations

Look for glassy luster, lack of cleavage, and inability to scratch quartz with a steel nail; quartz scratches glass, while calcite does not. Common worldwide, especially in Brazil, Arkansas, Madagascar, and Alpine regions.