mineral

Quartz crystal fragment

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Likely colorless to pale translucent quartz with a vitreous luster and conchoidal fracture; hardness 7 Mohs, no cleavage, hexagonal crystal structure, and specific gravity about 2.65. The image is blurred, so exact identification is not definitive.

Identified August 14, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids, pegmatites, and many igneous and metamorphic rocks; it also forms as vein material and sedimentary cement. Individual crystals may range from ancient Precambrian specimens to geologically young deposits.

Uses & applications

Used in glass, ceramics, electronics, abrasives, and construction aggregate; clear crystals are collected or cut as gemstones. Common fragments have minimal commercial value.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is piezoelectric, producing an electrical charge under pressure.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its glassy appearance, lack of cleavage, hardness sufficient to scratch ordinary glass, and frequent six-sided prism faces; common worldwide in quartz veins, pegmatites, and river gravels.