mineral
Quartz geode
Crystalline quartz (SiO₂), lining a geode cavity
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectWhite to colorless, glassy-to-sparkling crystals with a drusy texture; Mohs hardness 7, trigonal crystal structure, no cleavage, and specific gravity about 2.65. The photo shows a pale, roughly broken geode with fine quartz crystals.
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Physical properties
White to colorless, glassy-to-sparkling crystals with a drusy texture; Mohs hardness 7, trigonal crystal structure, no cleavage, and specific gravity about 2.65. The photo shows a pale, roughly broken geode with fine quartz crystals.
Formation & geological history
Silica-rich water deposited quartz crystals inside a cavity in host rock, commonly over long periods; the specimen’s precise age and host rock cannot be determined from the image.
Uses & applications
Collected as a decorative or educational specimen; quartz is also widely used in glassmaking, electronics, and abrasives.
Geological facts
Geodes form when mineral-bearing fluids crystallize on the inside of a hollow cavity, often leaving a sparkling crystal lining.
Field identification & locations
Identify by the cavity lined with tightly packed, hard, sparkling crystals; quartz geodes occur worldwide, notably in Brazil, Uruguay, and the United States. A scratch test on an inconspicuous spot can help distinguish quartz from softer minerals.
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