mineral

Quartz fragment

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂), likely milky or smoky quartz

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 7 Mohs; translucent gray-brown to colorless, with a glassy luster and irregular conchoidal fractures. Quartz is trigonal and lacks cleavage; the apparent surfaces are natural breaks or weathering.

Identified August 19, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms in igneous, metamorphic, and hydrothermal environments as veins, cavities, and sedimentary grains. The specimen’s exact geological age and locality cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Used in glass, ceramics, electronics, abrasives, and engineered stone; transparent attractive pieces may be cut or collected as gemstones.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is highly resistant to weathering. Iron or fluid inclusions can produce the gray, brown, and cloudy appearance.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its glassy appearance, lack of cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and ability to scratch ordinary glass; a steel knife should not scratch it. Common worldwide, especially in quartz veins and igneous rocks.