Man-made material (simulant/artifact)

Chipped Glass/Plastic Fragment

Silicon dioxide (SiO2) for glass (amorphous) or various polymer compounds for plastic

Hardness: 5-7 (glass), 1.5-3.5 (common plastics), varies greatly depending on type; Color: Clear/colorless; Luster: Vitreous/glassy; Crystal structure: Amorphous (glass), Amorphous to semi-crystalline (plastic); Cleavage: Conchoidal fracture (glass), No true cleavage (plastic);…

Hardness: 5-7 (glass), 1
Color: Clear/colorless
Luster: Vitreous/glassy

Identified September 21, 2025More man-made material (simulant/artifact) →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Does not occur naturally as a mineral or rock. This fragment appears to be a piece of broken glass or plastic. Glass is formed by rapidly cooling molten silica-rich material. Plastic is synthetically produced from polymers derived from petroleum or natural gas.

Uses & applications

This specific fragment has no inherent purpose beyond being a piece of waste or debris. The original material (glass or plastic) would have had various uses in containers, windows, electronics, or other manufactured goods.

Geological facts

This object is not a geological specimen. The smooth, somewhat rounded edges suggest it might have been tumbled or subjected to some form of wear or erosion after breaking. Given its clear, somewhat irregular shape and apparent transparency, it strongly resembles a piece of broken glass or, less likely, a hard plastic shard.

Field identification & locations

Not identifiable as a natural rock or mineral in the field. Identifying it involves observing its optical properties (transparency, lack of internal crystalline structure), its fracture pattern (conchoidal if glass), and its hardness relative to common minerals (e.g., quartz scratches glass). It would typically be found in areas of human activity or where waste accumulates.

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