mineral

Likely quartz fragment

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Translucent, colorless-to-pale beige fragment with vitreous luster and irregular conchoidal fracture; quartz has Mohs hardness 7, hexagonal crystal structure, no cleavage, and specific gravity about 2.65. The image is insufficient to confirm whether it is natural quartz or glass.

Identified August 15, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Natural quartz crystallizes from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids or igneous melts, ranging from Precambrian to recent in age; this small broken piece may also be industrial glass or a quartz-rich material.

Uses & applications

Quartz is used in glass, ceramics, electronics, abrasives, and construction aggregate; clear crystals are collected and used as gemstones. Common fragments have little commercial value.

Geological facts

Quartz does not show prominent cleavage and commonly breaks with curved, shell-like surfaces. A steel file should not scratch it, while quartz can scratch ordinary window glass.

Field identification & locations

Common in granite, pegmatites, veins, sand, and many metamorphic rocks worldwide, especially Brazil, Madagascar, the United States, and Switzerland. Natural quartz typically shows crystal faces or internal inclusions; a perfectly uniform piece with bubbles may be glass.