mineral

Rough quartz crystal cluster

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

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 7 Mohs; translucent white to pale gray with vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal structure, and indistinct cleavage. The irregular broken surfaces and possible iron or clay inclusions give it a cloudy appearance.

Identified August 19, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids, pegmatites, or cavities in igneous and metamorphic rocks; individual specimens may range from ancient Precambrian material to geologically recent growth. Exact age and locality cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Used in glass, electronics, engineered stone, abrasives, and ceramics; attractive crystals are sold for mineral collecting and occasional lapidary display. This rough specimen has modest decorative value.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is piezoelectric, producing an electrical charge under pressure. Its six-sided prismatic crystals commonly terminate in pyramidal points, though this piece appears partly fractured or aggregated.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its glassy luster, lack of obvious cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and ability to scratch ordinary glass. Common worldwide, especially in Brazil, Madagascar, the United States, and hydrothermal veins.