mineral
Likely quartz fragment
Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectColorless to milky-clear, vitreous luster, translucent, and showing irregular fracture rather than obvious cleavage; Mohs hardness 7, hexagonal crystal structure, specific gravity about 2.65. The small piece may be ordinary vein quartz or a broken quartz crystal.
Identified More mineral →
Explore Likely quartz fragment in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Colorless to milky-clear, vitreous luster, translucent, and showing irregular fracture rather than obvious cleavage; Mohs hardness 7, hexagonal crystal structure, specific gravity about 2.65. The small piece may be ordinary vein quartz or a broken quartz crystal.
Formation & geological history
Forms when silica-rich fluids precipitate in veins, cavities, and sedimentary or igneous environments; quartz occurs from ancient Precambrian rocks to modern hydrothermal deposits. Exact origin and age cannot be determined from the photograph.
Uses & applications
Common quartz is used in glass, ceramics, engineered stone, abrasives, electronics, and construction aggregate; clear attractive crystals are collected or cut as gemstones. This small fragment has little commercial value.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is the principal component of sandstone and many granites. Its lack of cleavage and conchoidal fracture help distinguish it from calcite and feldspar.
Field identification & locations
Test cautiously: it should scratch ordinary glass but not be scratched by a steel nail; a streak test is white. Common localities include hydrothermal veins, granite pegmatites, quartz beaches, and alluvial gravels.
