mineral

Quartz fragment

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

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.

Identified September 20, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

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.