mineral
Quartz fragment
Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectSmall translucent, pale gray-to-yellow fragment with a vitreous luster and irregular fracture; quartz has Mohs hardness 7, no cleavage, and a trigonal crystal structure. The yellow tint may come from iron staining or surface coating.
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Physical properties
Small translucent, pale gray-to-yellow fragment with a vitreous luster and irregular fracture; quartz has Mohs hardness 7, no cleavage, and a trigonal crystal structure. The yellow tint may come from iron staining or surface coating.
Formation & geological history
Likely broken from a quartz vein, quartz-rich rock, or manufactured stone; quartz commonly forms in hydrothermal veins and igneous or metamorphic rocks, ranging from Precambrian to recent age.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in glass, ceramics, electronics, abrasives, construction aggregate, and ornamental objects; this fragment is too small for significant jewelry value.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second-most abundant mineral in Earth’s continental crust and is piezoelectric, producing an electrical charge under pressure.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its glassy luster, lack of cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and ability to scratch ordinary glass; common worldwide, including Brazil, the United States, Madagascar, and the Alps.
