mineral

Small quartz crystal fragment (probable)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Colorless to white, transparent-translucent, with a vitreous luster and likely crystalline faces; Mohs hardness 7, no cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and specific gravity about 2.65. The tiny specimen appears granular or broken, so exact identification is tentative from the image.

Identified September 17, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids, igneous melts, and sedimentary veins; crystals may range from ancient Precambrian to geologically recent. Common settings include pegmatites, quartz veins, cavities, and metamorphic rocks.

Uses & applications

Used in glass, ceramics, electronics, abrasives, and engineered stone; clear crystals are collected or cut as gemstones. This very small fragment has little commercial value.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and forms both six-sided prismatic crystals and massive aggregates. Its lack of cleavage and conchoidal fracture help distinguish it from calcite and feldspar.

Field identification & locations

Look for a glassy luster, hardness sufficient to scratch ordinary glass, and no visible cleavage; a streak test is white. Common worldwide, especially in quartz veins, granite pegmatites, and geodes.