mineral

Quartz crystal fragment

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂), likely milky or iron-stained quartz

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 7 Mohs; typically white, gray, or translucent with a vitreous luster and conchoidal fracture. Quartz is trigonal and lacks cleavage; the specimen appears irregular and partly crystalline.

Identified September 13, 2026More mineral →

Explore Quartz crystal fragment in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Hardness 7 Mohs; typically white, gray, or translucent with a vitreous luster and conchoidal fracture. Quartz is trigonal and lacks cleavage; the specimen appears irregular and partly crystalline.

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids crystallize in cavities, veins, and fractures, or during cooling of igneous rocks; quartz is common from Precambrian to modern geological settings. Exact age and locality cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Used in glass, ceramics, electronics, abrasives, and construction aggregate; clear crystals are collected or used decoratively. This small rough fragment has minimal commercial value.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is piezoelectric, producing an electrical potential when mechanically stressed.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its glassy luster, lack of cleavage, hardness sufficient to scratch ordinary glass, and common six-sided crystal habit when well formed. Common worldwide, especially in hydrothermal veins, pegmatites, and quartz-rich sediments.