mineral

Quartz crystal cluster (likely iron-stained quartz)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂); possibly quartz on a sulfide- or carbonate-rich matrix

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 7 Mohs; translucent gray, smoky, and honey-brown crystals with vitreous luster. Crystals are likely hexagonal/prismatic, though heavily clustered; quartz has no cleavage and conchoidal fracture, with specific gravity about 2.65.

Identified September 7, 2026More mineral →

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At a glance

Common name: Quartz crystal cluster (likely iron-stained quartz)
Scientific name: Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂); possibly quartz on a sulfide- or carbonate-rich matrix
Category: mineral
Identified: September 7, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

Approximately $10–$75 for a common cluster; $100–$500+ if crystals are unusually large, well-formed, lustrous, and from a documented locality.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed when silica-rich hydrothermal fluids deposited quartz in fractures or cavities, commonly alongside sulfides or carbonate minerals. The brown/yellow coloration likely comes from iron-oxide staining; the specimen’s precise age and locality cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Used as a collector specimen and, when clear and attractive, for decorative objects or jewelry. Quartz is also important industrially in glass, ceramics, electronics, abrasives, and engineered stone.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is piezoelectric, producing an electrical charge under pressure. The dark attached material may be host rock or an iron- and sulfide-rich mineral, but it is not identifiable confidently from the photograph.

Field identification & locations

Look for glassy luster, scratch resistance against ordinary steel, lack of cleavage, and six-sided crystal geometry; avoid destructive tests on valuable specimens. Quartz clusters occur worldwide, especially in Brazil, Arkansas, Mexico, Morocco, and alpine hydrothermal veins.